The Prince of Wales played a key role in securing the release of six Britons who claim they were falsely imprisoned and tortured in Saudi Arabia for bombings they did not commit, a British newspaper reported Sunday.
Repeated demands by Prince Charles to top Saudi officials proved crucial in Friday's release of the men, two of whom faced the death penalty after being accused of conducting a wave of bombings in the oil-rich kingdom, The Observer reported.
"The Prince has excellent connections within Saudi Arabia. He has been very keen that the case should be re-looked at by the Saudi authorities," a spokesman for Charles was quoted as saying.
The Prince's intervention is likely to raise questions over his involvement in sensitive diplomatic matters, said the paper, adding that Charles has a long-standing relationship with the Saudi royal family.
In aiding the release of the Britons, Charles is thought to have used his connections with Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Britain, Prince Turki al-Faisal, The Observer added.
Turki has been named in a lawsuit brought by the families of victims of the September 11 attacks, who claim he was a supporter of the al-Qaeda terror network, the paper added. Turki, for his part, denies the allegations. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
