Saudi Princess On $5m Bail In 'Slavery' Case

A Saudi princess, accused of human trafficking, has been freed on $5m (£3.3m) bail, a day after she was arrested in California.

Meshael Alayban, 42, walked free from the Orange County jail, hours after appearing in court in a dark blue jumpsuit.

The bail was paid by the consulate of Saudi Arabia, which delivered a $5m check, the Orange County Sheriff Department said.

Prosecutors had asked the judge to set bail at a massive $20m (£13.1m) or deny it entirely, saying it was unlikely any amount would guarantee a woman of such wealth would turn up for her July 29 arraignment.

The judge did not agree with the lofty figure.

The alleged victim, a 30-year-old woman from Kenya, previously worked for the Alayban family in Saudi Arabia, where she claimed she was forced to work excessive hours and was paid only a fraction of the salary she was promised.

She said the princess took her passport and refused to return it when she complained about working conditions and asked to leave.

The woman travelled with the family to California but fled from the apartment and flagged down a passing bus.

"This is certainly an example of forced labour," District Attorney Tony Rackauckas told reporters after Thursday’s initial court appearance.

"It’s been 150 years since the Emancipation Proclamation, and slavery has been unlawful in the United States, and certainly in California, all this time, and it’s disappointing to see it in use here.”

Defence lawyer Paul Meyer said the princess was not a flight risk. He said she has visited the US since she was a child, owns properties there and has given her word she will stay to address the allegations.

While free on bond, she must wear a GPS tracking device and cannot leave Orange County without permission from the court.

She also handed over her passport and is barred from any contact with the victim.

If convicted, the princess faces a maximum sentence of 12 years.

Prosecutors say she is one of the six wives of Saudi Prince Abdulrahman bin Nasser bin Abdulaziz al Saud.

The Saudi royal family is extensive, with thousands of princes and princesses, including others who have run into trouble with the law in the US.

In 2002, Saudi princess Buniah al Saud, who was accused of pushing her maid down a flight of stairs, entered a no-contest plea in Florida and was fined $1,000 (£660).

In 1995, another Saudi princess, Maha al Sudairi, allegedly beat a servant in front of sheriff’s deputies providing off-duty security. No charges were ever filed.