Swift ‘justice’ likely for king’s killer

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33804, 29 March 1975, Page 15

Swift ‘justice’ likely for king’s killer

< X Z P A.-Reuter—Copyright

CAIRO, March 28. Prince Feisal Ibn Abdul Aziz, who assassinated King Feisal of Saudi Arabia, might be executed in a public square in the capital, Riyadh, today, according to the semi-official Cairo newspaper, “Al Ahram.’’

The report quoted informed sources as saying that if the team of psychiatrists and doctors examining the assassin decided he was responsible for his actions, bis punishment would be firm and fast.

The newspaper said .the murderer would be beheaded by the sword in the main square of the city, possibly today, after prayers.

The assassination was recorded on a television news film which shows the King bending forward to be kissed by the assassin, the Egyptian newspaper, “Al Akhbar,” reported today.

It said that doctors who examined the assassin decided he was responsible for his actions and he would be tried and beheaded by the sword, under Moslem law.

“Al Akhbar” said the film cameras were present to record a meeting in King Feisal’s study between him and the Oil Ministers of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.

The King’s 26-year-old nephew pushed his way past guards into the room and stepped towards the monarch as if to embrace him.

As the King lowered his head to let his nephew kiss

the tip of his nose in the Saudi Arabian custom, the killer fired at point-blank range, the newspaper said.

Two shots were fired. The first struck the king in the head. Then, as the monarch fell backwards, the second and fatal bullet was fired into his neck. The Prince had just returned from the United

States, and it seemed quite natural for him to call on the king, the newspaper said. When the shots sounded, Royal guards rushed into the room and overpowered the assassin. They were about to lynch him. according to the “Al Akhbar” account, but officials ordered them to place him under arrest.

So far no political motive for the murder has been found, but some Arab newspapers in other countries have asked whether the killer had any backers.