Qatari ‘speeding Sheik’ flees USA after cops REJECT diplomatic immunity claim

A Middle Eastern sheikh who allegedly said he owned a Ferrari caught on film speeding through a Beverly Hills neighborhood apparently has raced out of town, police said Thursday.

The owner of a yellow Ferrari that was recklessly driven through a wealthy California neighborhood this week has been identified by police as Sheikh Khalid Hamad Al Thani, owner of Qatar’s Al-Anabi drag-racing team.

The video shows two supercars, a white Porsche and a Yellow Ferrari, flying through the streets of Beverley Hills with Qatari plates.

After discussing the matter with the U.S. State Department and the Qatar consulate, authorities concluded he did not have immunity, police Chief Dominick Rivetti said at a news conference Thursday.

However before officers could arrest Al-Thani allegedly fled the country.

Al Thani is well-known in the worldwide racing world and has been dubbed the “patron sheikh” of drag racing by the media.

People who have diplomatic immunity are typically not susceptible to lawsuits or prosecution under the host country’s laws, although they can still be ejected from that nation.

The man claimed to have diplomatic immunity, but that is unlikely, Lt. Lincoln Hoshino said. “The drivers weren’t visible on the videos or photographs”.

Adam Bornstein, a auto enthusiast who posted the video online, said up until that incident, the visitors from Qatar had kept a low profile in the city.

“They’ve been known to come and stay in the summer with their nice cars. For the most part, they’re very laid-back and mellow”.

However, after the video went viral Al Thani took his leave of the United States, absconding with both cars seen in the video.

The motorists could be charged with reckless driving if they are identified.

But Bornstein criticised the incident, claiming it does not “represent” the driving community. “What I do know is you can’t claim diplomatic immunity if you don’t have it, and you can’t use that as an excuse to jeopardize the public or commit crimes”, Rivetti said.