Playboy prince says sorry
2008-06-15 19:01
London - The playboy brother of the Sultan of Brunei, threatened with jail for failing to turn up to a British court hearing, hit back on Sunday at his critics, insisting he was a scapegoat in the affair.
Prince Jefri Bolkiah told Britain's Sunday Telegraph from his Paris home that he meant no disrespect to London's High Court, which issued a Europe-wide warrant for his arrest after his no-show there on Wednesday.
"It is my hope that my absence will not be viewed as a mark of disrespect to the court, nor to the United Kingdom," the 53-year-old told the weekly, saying he found it "impossible" to be in attendance.
The prince is accused of breaching the terms of a court order requiring him to hand over £s;3bn (about R48bn) in cash and assets to the Brunei Investment Agency, overseen by the sultan.
The billions are alleged to have gone missing during the prince's time as finance minister. He denies the allegations, insisting he acted with the consent of his elder brother.
If found guilty of contempt of court, he could swap his life of luxury for up to two years in a prison cell - but he told the newspaper he had no plans to return to Britain.
'Reconciliation not possible'
Prince Jefri said he had tried and failed to reach a "lasting solution" with his brother, to whom he has reportedly not spoken for four years.
"Sadly, I have concluded that a reconciliation with the other side is not possible and that the unequal struggle will continue, placing great pressures on me and my family," he added.
The case is being heard in London because Prince Jefri's main home is in Regent's Park, one of Britain's most luxurious addresses, and because the previous compensation order, made in 2000, was issued here.
Prince Jefri told the newspaper much of the money he is accused of embezzling was invested wisely and used to fund hospitals and other public amenities.
"I am no angel, for sure, but I have been the fall guy," he added.
- SAPA
