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French shops sue Saudi princess Saudi pays up in Paris shop row
(about 8 hours later)
Luxury retailers in Paris are suing a Saudi princess who allegedly owes tens of thousands of dollars in unpaid bills, a lawyer for two shops said. A Saudi princess who allegedly owed thousands of dollars in shopping bills in Paris has agreed to pay up after a bailiff visited her hotel, lawyers say.
Maha al-Sudairi, the wife of the Saudi interior minister, is accused of owing the two shops 117,000 euros ($164,000). Maha al-Sudairi, the wife of the Saudi interior minister, is paying more than $120,000 (85,700 euros; £72,800) to one store, according to its lawyer.
The lawyer, Jacky Benazerah, said a court order had been obtained for bailiffs to go to the George V hotel in Paris and seize her belongings. It came after a court order was issued allowing the seizure of her belongings.
Ms Sudairi has diplomatic immunity because of her husband's status. The bailiff had gone to the luxury Georges V hotel, just off the famous Champs Elysee in the French capital.
Reports say several upmarket shops are owed money, including the clothes retailer Key Largo, a lingerie shop and jewellers. Maha al-Sudairi has been staying at the hotel, which is owned by her nephew.
Some bills are alleged to have remained unpaid for more than a year. She has diplomatic immunity because of her husband's status.
Mr Benazerah told the BBC that a bailiff, accompanied by a locksmith, would go to the George V Hotel - partly owned by Ms Sudairi's nephew, Prince Al-Walid bin Talal - later on Friday. Relief
Under normal circumstances, they would also have a police escort in case they were refused entry to the princess's room, he said. The decision to settle the bill followed the court order obtained on behalf of the clothing chain, Key Largo. It was owed $125,000.
Due to her high status, the police presence would have to be authorised by senior officials within the police force and the interior ministry, he added. He was not certain that this would happen. The shop's lawyer, Jacky Benazerah, said repeated demands for payment had been ignored and described the settlement as a relief.
But Mr Benazerah said he was confident the princess would agree to an "amicable" settlement. He said: "The operation ordered by the judge began at 4.30pm in the presence of the local police chief. It seems that during the operation the Saudi consul turned up in person and, following talks, a guaranteed cheque for the total sum owed to my client was handed over."
The Paris court where Mr Benazerah has filed his case has refused to comment, and Ms Sudairi has not responded to calls from the media. But the BBC's Alasdair Sandford, in Paris, says the princess allegedly owes large sums to several chic Parisian stores from various shopping sprees carried out over the past year.
One lingerie store opposite the Georges V says it has been unable to recoup nearly $100,000.
This is not the first time the Saudi princess has made headlines.This is not the first time the Saudi princess has made headlines.
In 1995, she was accused of beating a servant in Florida whom she suspected of stealing $200,000 from her. No charges were filed. In 1995, she was accused of beating a servant in Florida whom she suspected of stealing from her. No charges were filed.