Alleged Saudi royal questioned over death

A man claiming to be a member of the Saudi royal family is questioned by British police over the death of a compatriot in a five-star London hotel.

A man claiming to be a member of the Saudi royal family was being questioned by British police today over the death of a compatriot who sustained head injuries in a five-star London hotel. The suspect in his 30s was arrested after the body of the 32-year-old man was discovered on Monday at the prestigious Landmark Hotel in the Marylebone area of the British capital, police said. Officers were called to the hotel just before 5pm local time after the Saudi man was found in a third-floor room. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene.

Several hours later, the suspect was taken in for questioning and he remains in police custody. It is understood he has claimed to be a member of Saudi Arabia's royal family. The death is being treated as "suspicious" until the results of a post-mortem examination are known, police said. A statement from London's Metropolitan Police said the man suffered from head injuries. "Police were called to reports of the body of a man found in a third-floor room at a hotel," said the statement.

"Officers and paramedics from the London Ambulance Service attended the address and the man was pronounced dead at the scene." Police believe they know the identity of the man, but are tracing next of kin before they release his name, the spokesman said. Rooms at the Landmark hotel, built in 1899, cost from £400 (Dh2,317) a night and is a favourite with some celebrities. Guests have included Liam Gallagher, former singer with British band Oasis, who held his wedding reception there.

* AFP