Bahraini Prince Takes Michael to Court

The day before, a hearing to review the lawsuit filed by the son of the King of Bahrain against Michael Jackson officially began in the London High Court. Sheikh Abd... bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the son of Bahrain’s king, has filed a £4.7 million ($6.9 million) lawsuit against Michael, claiming a breach of contract terms. After the 2005 trial ended and Michael was acquitted, the claimant invited Michael as a guest to Bahrain. Abd... bin Hamad alleges that, in return for his hospitality, he had asked Michael to agree to record new songs and to write his autobiography. The prince’s lawyers say that an amount was given to Michael as an advance payment for writing the book and for the joint recording of songs with the sheikh, who is an amateur songwriter. Today’s court session heard details about how Michael’s relationship with the Bahraini prince developed during Michael’s stay in the country. Also, Benkim Tinky, the lawyer for the Bahraini king’s son, said that during the 12 days of proceedings, a song that Michael recorded in Bahrain will be played in court. Michael has stated that the contract between him and Sheikh Abd... had been terminated, and that the money paid by the Bahraini prince was also a gift. He added that the Bahraini prince’s lawsuit is based on a mistake, distorting reality and involving improper influence. Benki accepted that gifts from Abd... bin Hamad to Michael had been given, but says that most of it was paid to him in the form of the aforementioned contract. In today’s session, Michael and the Bahraini sheikh were not present, but the BBC reported that arrangements had been made to enable a video link with Michael in the United States. Source: eMJey / AP / BBC