Police in London have announced an investigation into the charitable foundation of the heir to the British throne, Prince Charles. The Foundation is suspected of illegally helping a Saudi billionaire win the country's state prize.
“The Foundation has provided a number of relevant documents. They have been studied along with the rest of the information. After analysis of the materials, it was decided to launch an investigation, », — Scotland Yard said in a statement.
What do we know about the investigation?
A released police statement says the investigation was opened under the Criminal Investigations Act. abuse of state awards. London police claim that the fund's management offered a Saudi citizen to obtain British citizenship and become a Commander of the Order of the British Empire.
So far, there have been no official interrogations or arrests in this case. The fund does not comment on the case, citing the fact that an official investigation is ongoing, and clarifies that the Prince of Wales himself had nothing to do with the matter.
Who illegally received the order?
In September last year, several British newspapers published information that the former personal assistant of the prince Charles and director of the foundation Michael Fawcett < /strong>helped a Saudi businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz become a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. The Saudi billionaire himself claims he did nothing illegal. According to the Sunday Times, he donated large sums to the foundation's restoration projects. The 51-year-old businessman regularly made large donations. Part of the Saudi billionaire's funds even went to the renovation of several Prince Charles residences (Dumfries House and May Castle).
It is known that bin Mahfouz began to take an interest in the possible ways to obtain a UK citizen's passport in 2011, but UK media have only now found previously confidential email correspondence between bin Mahfouz and Fawcett.
Prince Charles' aide himself decided to quit after it was revealed he was trying to help secure knighthood and British citizenship for a billionaire from the Arab Emirates United.
What privileges does the Order of the British Empire grant?
The Order of the British Empire — order of chivalry established by the British King George V4th June 1917. This is the youngest order in the British awards system, it has the largest number of members. The order does not confer the right to knighthood and the prefix “sir” to the name.
The order consists of five classes:
- Knight Grand Cross or Dame Grand Cross;
- Knight Commander or Dame Commander;
- Commander;
- Officer;
- Knight.
Of these, only the holders of the first two ranks are eligible for knighthood. They have the right to add the prefix “sir” to their personal name; or “lady” and receive a number of privileges, including free public transport and the right to request an outside audience with the monarchs.
Source
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