Saudi Prince Who Is Definitely Not Gay Convicted Of Murdering Servant

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A picture made on February 19, 2010 through a tinted window of a police van shows a man believed to be Saud Bin Abdulaziz Bin Nasir Bin Abdulaziz al Saud

The usual excuse, “They were just really good friends,” does not seem to apply here either, though.

A jury in London has convicted Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, grandson of Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah, of murder in the death his manservant Bandar Abdulaziz. Al Saud first came to NewsFeed’s attention two weeks ago, when we discovered that although the prince admitted to killing Abdulaziz, his main concern at the trial seemed to be denying the allegations that he and his victim were a gay couple.

Homosexuality is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia.

Evidence brought forth in the trial showed that al Saud often physically abused Abdulaziz, including an incident captured on CCTV in a hotel elevator weeks before the murder that left the servant markedly scarred. The prosecution argued that the circumstances of Abdulaziz’s death — he was found beaten and strangled, with bite marks on his cheeks — implied a “sexual element” to the murder.

(See pictures of Obama in Saudi Arabia.)

Though al Saud claims he and Abdulaziz were just friends, witnesses testified that the two men gave the impression of being a homosexual couple. Other evidence showed that the prince had ordered male escorts up to his London hotel room.

(See pictures of the changing role of women in Saudi Arabia.)

Al Saud had denied the charges of murder — he admitted to manslaughter — and an additional count of grievous bodily harm with intent. He faces life in prison for the conviction; he will be sentenced Wednesday. (via AFP)