The Hindu : End to a chapter in Diana saga

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Dec 01, 2003

International

International

End to a chapter in Diana saga

By Vaiju Naravane

Paris Nov. 30. With the acquittal of three photographers accused of violating France's strict privacy laws by taking pictures of Princess Diana and Dodi Al Fayad's fatal car crash on August 31, 1997, the French chapter of the Diana saga appears to have come to an end.

The judge took just 30 seconds to read the verdict of not guilty. The three photographers, Jacques Langevin, Christian Martinez and Eric Chassery had chased the car carrying the Princess and her lover from the Ritz Hotel in Paris and into an underpass where it crashed at a speed of 160 kmph. The Princess, Dodi and the driver died. Diana's bodyguard was severely injured.

The case was filed by Dodi Al Fayad's father, the millionaire hotelier, Mohammed Al Fayed, and centred around photographs taken on August 31, 1997, the night of the accident. He filed a civil suit under France's strict privacy laws after an official investigation charging eight photographers for failing to assist persons in danger was dropped.

Mr. Al Fayad reportedly believes that his son and Princess Diana were assassinated by British secret services to prevent the Princess from marrying a Muslim and having children by him. Recently, the Princess's former butler, Paul Burrell, published letters from the Princess in which she said she feared for her life.

The judge in Paris said the photographers had not violated privacy laws because the nature of Diana's relationship with Dodi was known to the public and because they had photographed them openly. Mr. Al Fayed said he plans to appeal the verdict.

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