1975
King Faisal of Saudi Arabia Assassinated
In Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, King Faisal was shot to death by his nephew, Prince Faisal.
King Faisal, son of King Abdulaziz Ibn Saud, fought in the military
campaigns in the 1920s and ’30s that helped forge modern Saudi Arabia.
He later served as Saudi ambassador to the United Nations and in 1953 was made premier upon the ascension of his older brother, Saud.
In 1964, King Saud was pressured to abdicate because of his lavish life style, and Faisal, noted for his piety and his moderation became the absolute ruler of Saudi Arabia.
As king, he sought to modernize his nation, and lent financial and moral support to anti-Israeli efforts in the Middle East.
In 1975, Faisal was assassinated for reasons that remain obscure. The speculation is that it had to do with the perceived unfair treatment of a close family member of the assassin.
The assassination occurred at the traditional gathering before the king of those who desired to request gifts of money to start businesses or some other form of gratuity from him.
Prince Faisal, the nephew who desired to attain retribution for a perceived wrong to a member of his immediate family, was among the long line of men who were seeking favors of King Faisal.
When he approached the unsuspecting monarch, he pulled his weapon from his robe and shot him. Prince Faisal was executed within days of his crime.
Crown Prince Khalid, brother of King Faisal, ascended to the throne.
He later served as Saudi ambassador to the United Nations and in 1953 was made premier upon the ascension of his older brother, Saud.
In 1964, King Saud was pressured to abdicate because of his lavish life style, and Faisal, noted for his piety and his moderation became the absolute ruler of Saudi Arabia.
As king, he sought to modernize his nation, and lent financial and moral support to anti-Israeli efforts in the Middle East.
In 1975, Faisal was assassinated for reasons that remain obscure. The speculation is that it had to do with the perceived unfair treatment of a close family member of the assassin.
The assassination occurred at the traditional gathering before the king of those who desired to request gifts of money to start businesses or some other form of gratuity from him.
Prince Faisal, the nephew who desired to attain retribution for a perceived wrong to a member of his immediate family, was among the long line of men who were seeking favors of King Faisal.
When he approached the unsuspecting monarch, he pulled his weapon from his robe and shot him. Prince Faisal was executed within days of his crime.
Crown Prince Khalid, brother of King Faisal, ascended to the throne.
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