Princess Diana

The inquiry into blood tests conducted on Henri Paul, who died along with Diana and her boyfriend Dodi al-Fayed in the Aug. 31, 1997, crash follows a long battle by Paul's parents and Dodi's multimillionaire father, Mohamed al-Fayed, to have the blood samples re-examined.

They claim their son was not an alcoholic and that the samples that formed the basis of the official conclusion blaming him for the deaths did not come from Paul's body.

A French appeals court in June agreed that the magistrate was wrong last year to dismiss the parents' allegations without conducting any investigation and sent the case back to her for further action.

The development marks another twist in the legal battle that continues nearly seven years after the death of Diana.

Three photographers who were part of the press pack that chased Diana's car are being re-tried in Paris after al-Fayed lodged an appeal over their acquittal in November last year. A verdict in that case is expected Sept. 14.

The Japan Times Weekly: Aug. 21, 2004
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