DUBAI, June 19, (Agencies): A senior member of the Kuwaiti Al-Sabah ruling family who was shot and killed by a relative was buried on Saturday as security agencies began investigating the incident.
Al-Rai newspaper reported Saturday that Sheikh Basel Salem al-Sabah, 52, the grandson of former Amir Sheikh Sabah Salem al-Sabah, was shot several times at his palace on Thursday night by his uncle, Sheikh Faisal Abdullah al-Sabah.
Police arrested Sheikh Faisal, a military intelligence officer, who has remained silent and refused to say why he killed his nephew.
Deceased
The newspaper said the deceased was the head of a boat racing club and that, ahead of the shooting, had chaired a meeting of the board at which it made new appointments.
Sheikh Faisal, who had been the club’s vice president, was not included on the new board, the daily said.
Meanwhile, security authorities are investigating the alleged murder of Sheikh Basel Al-Sabah, say local dailies.
According to media reports, Sheikh Basel was allegedly shot by an uncle at his palace in Messila Thursday evening.
Eye witnesses said the uncle requested to speak to Sheikh Basel in private and the two left the house.
Shortly after, shots were heard and the killer fled, but was caught after a short time and referred to the Criminal Investigation Department, they added.
According to Al-Rai daily, the uncle Sheikh Faisal Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is a captain in Kuwait Army and serves in the intelligence wing. He was in the victim’s palace with members of the Quarter Mile Club for a car race. After having dinner, he reportedly asked his nephew to come for a private talk and shot the latter several times at point blank range.
Visitors were greatly shocked and sources say Deputy Chairman of the National Security Department Sheikh Thamer Al-Ali rushed to the scene and found the victim in a pool of blood.
It is reported that an Arab man tied up the nephew with a telephone cable.
However, it is not clear which Arab man the daily was referring to. Sources further added that the killer broke down and started behaving hysterically on realizing that he had killed his nephew.
Mystery
Reportedly, officers of the Criminal Investigation Department called some of the uncle’s friends to unravel the mystery of the murder. They said the uncle lost composure on knowing that he had lost his position as vice president of the Quarter Mile Club.
Meanwhile, a number of ruling family members returned to Kuwait on special planes after hearing of the crime.
Sheikh Basel, 52, was president of the Quarter Mile Club in Nov 2009 and had plans to establish a race track in Araifjan.
He played a brave role during the Iraqi invasion in 1990 and stayed in the country to help Kuwaiti people and offer them financial assistance, in addition to providing information to the Kuwaiti government in Saudi Arabia. He played such a crucial role that he was wanted by Iraqis during that time.
The deceased was known for his courage and love for military life. He stood by the Iraqis in their war against Iran and was on the war front.
Sheikh Basel is the grandson of Kuwait’s 12th Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, and the eldest son of Sheikh Salem Sabah Al- Salem Al-Sabah.