Gay Saudi prince convicted of murder must pay prosecution costs

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A gay Saudi prince convicted of murdering his servant must pay his prosecution costs.

Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, 34, will have to pay more than £100,000 for the cost of his trial at the Old Bailey.

According to PA, the prosecution cost was £63,763. and his defence costs will bring the total to more than £100,000. The bill must be paid by January 17th.

He was sentenced to at least 20 years in prison for murdering Bandar Abdulaziz in a luxury London hotel last February.

The Old Bailey heard that the attack had a “sexual” element and that Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, had abused his servant before.

CCTV from a hotel lift showed the prince kicking and hitting Mr Abdulaziz shortly before his death, while the servant was found to have suffered multiple injuries, including bites to his face.

Jurors found him guilty of murder and a second count of grievous bodily harm which related to the attack in the lift.

Saud attempted to hide his sexuality in court but jurors were told that he used male escorts.

Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia and the prince could face the death penalty if he returns home, although his status as a royal is likely to offer protection.