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Saudi Arabia sentences five to death for murder of Jamal Khashoggi Saudi Arabia sentences five to death for murder of Jamal Khashoggi
(32 minutes later)
Former royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani was investigated but released without being chargedFormer royal adviser Saud al-Qahtani was investigated but released without being charged
Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death for the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the country’s public prosecutor has said. Saudi Arabia has sentenced five people to death for the killing of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the country’s public prosecutor has said.
The prosecutor said Saud al-Qahtani, a former high-profile Saudi royal adviser, was investigated but not charged and was released. Shalaan al-Shalaan also said Saud al-Qahtani, a former high-profile adviser to Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman, was investigated but not charged and was released. Al-Qahtani has been sanctioned by the United States for his alleged role in the operation.
The murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, triggered Saudi Arabia’s biggest diplomatic crisis since the 9/11 attacks as world leaders and business executives sought to distance themselves from Riyadh.The murder of Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, triggered Saudi Arabia’s biggest diplomatic crisis since the 9/11 attacks as world leaders and business executives sought to distance themselves from Riyadh.
The CIA concluded that the country’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered Khashoggi’s assassination, according to a report by the Washington Post. The crown prince denies involvement, but told US TV in September that he took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia”. The CIA concluded that Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince, ordered Khashoggi’s assassination, according to a report by the Washington Post. The crown prince denies any involvement, but told US TV in September that he took “full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia”.
The prosecutor said three more people in the case had been sentenced to jail terms totalling 24 years. All can appeal the verdicts. Shalaan said a further three people in the case had been sentenced to jail terms totalling 24 years. All can appeal against the verdicts.
More follows … Khashoggi was a US resident and critic of Prince Mohammed. He was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018, where he was to receive papers before his wedding. His body was reportedly dismembered and removed from the building, and his remains have not been found.
The court also ruled that the Saudi consul-general in Istanbul at the time, Mohammed al-Otaibi, was not guilty. He was released from prison after the verdicts were announced, according to state TV.
After holding nine sessions, the trial concluded there was no previous intent by those found guilty to murder, according to state TV.
The trials of the accused were carried out in near-total secrecy, though a handful of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Khashoggi’s family, were allowed to attend the sessions.
US president Donald Trump condemned the killing, and his administration sanctioned 17 Saudis suspected of being involved, though not the crown prince. Trump, however, has steadfastly resisted calls by members of his own party for a tougher response and has defended maintaining good relations with Saudi Arabia, framing its importance as a major buyer of US military equipment and weapons and saying this creates American jobs.
Meanwhile, numerous critics of the Saudi crown prince remain imprisoned and face trial for their acts of dissent.