Saudi princess flees Paris after allegedly 'ordering decorator's killing'

A daughter of Saudi Arabia's King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz allegedly fled Paris under diplomatic immunity after ordering her bodyguard to kill a decorator who had snapped photos in her private apartment, reports have suggested.

Princess Hassa's guard is said to have assaulted the 53-year-old workman after his boss ordered him to "kill the dog", according to Le Point magazine. It is claimed the worker was tied by his wrists and held hostage for four hours at the home in Avenue Foch – reputedly the French capital's richest road.

The decorator alleged that the 42-year-old royal was present while the ordeal occurred, an account which has been corroborated by the bodyguard, who appeared before a French court on Saturday. Among other indictments, he faces charges of violence with a firearm, kidnapping and assisted kidnapping.

Defence barrister Elie Hatem has questioned the allegations, saying that more than 20 people were present in the apartment block at the time.

"How can the facts as outlined by the complainant have been overlooked?" Hatem asked.

While the defence team have alleged that the painter took photographs to sell to the media, French authorities have argued that it is normal for decorators to take pictures of their work.

This is not the first time that a member of Saudi Arabia's ruling family has been accused of ordering a murder abroad, or indeed of committing a killing.

In 2015, Prince Majed Bin Abdullah – a son of the kingdom's previous monarch – had a civil case brought against him after allegedly threatening to kill a female staff member during a cocaine-fuelled fit of rage at his Los Angeles mansion. Three unnamed plaintiffs brought forward charges of assault and battery, false imprisonment and emotional distress – among other things – against Prince Majed.

Another Saudi Prince, Saud Abdulaziz bin Nasser al Saud, was jailed for 20 years in his home country for beating and choking his servant to death in London. The 32-year-old had bitten Bandar bin Abdul Aziz – who was also reportedly the prince's gay lover – in a drunken rage.