http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-princess-claims-asylum-20120708-21pcm.html
Saudi princess claims asylum Date July 9, 2012 Princess Sara bint Talal. A SENIOR member of Saudi Arabia's royal family has claimed political asylum in Britain, in a move certain to strain ties between the two nations. Princess Sara bint Talal bin Abdulaziz, 38, accuses senior Saudi officials of plotting to kidnap her and smuggle her back to Riyadh. She currently occupies a suite and several rooms in a five-star London hotel with her four children and two dogs, guarded by a private security team. ''I've been physically abused. I've been mentally abused,'' she said. ''My assets have been frozen. They've accused me of being in opposition [to them] with Iran, they haven't left anything. I've been crucified in every way.'' On Friday, Princess Sara's lawyers notified the Home Office of her intention to seek asylum. She has lived in Britain since 2007 after she fell out with her 80-year-old father, Prince Talal, once known as ''the Red Prince'' for his support for Egyptian leader Gamal Abdel Nasser. Among her 14 brothers and sisters is Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, who runs the country's sovereign wealth fund and is the second-largest shareholder in News Corp. While living first in the Cotswolds, then in London, Princess Sara won custody of her children. She has had a continuing inheritance battle with her older brother, Prince Turki, over their dead mother's fortune, made up of cash, jewels and property in Saudi Arabia, Switzerland, Egypt and Lebanon. Saudi officials have asked her to return to Riyadh to argue her case, rather than air her grievances abroad. Princess Sara was supported by her uncle, Crown Prince Nayef, until his death last month. Asked if she was ferried everywhere by Rolls-Royce, she replied: ''I hate Rolls-Royces, I love Aston Martins.'' TELEGRAPH Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/world/saudi-princess-claims-asylum-20120708-21pcm.html#ixzz209Dhj7dq [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
