Mohammed bin Salman (right) denies being involved in Jamal Khashoggi's murder. Photo:Reuters, AlJazeera
JUNE 19th 2019
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily
Crown Prince Accused of Involvement in Khashoggi Death
Prince Mohammed bin Salman; the Saudi Crown Prince along with several other senior Saudi officials are expected to be subject to investigation regarding the infamous murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, given that there is credible evidence they are liable, or at the least involved in his death, a United Nations rights investigator stated on Wednesday.
There was no direct response relayed from the Saudi government communications office thus far, but the kingdom has regularly denied accusations that the prince was involved in the incident in the past. Riyadh was sent the 100-page report some three weeks in advance.
Khashoggi’s killing became widespread in a matter of hours, sparking horror and discontent, and at the same time put something of a stain on the image of the Crown Prince. The Prince had previously been something of an admired figure by the West before the incident, having pushed for change in the kingdom, including tax reform, infrastructure projects and allowing women to drive.
The UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, Agnes Callamard, called on countries and demanded to invoke universal jurisdiction for what she referred to as the ‘international crime’ and to make arrests if individual responsibility or confirmed involvement is proven, regardless of position.
In her report based on a six-month investigation, Callamard said that “It is the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur that Mr. Khashoggi has been the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law.”
Callamard also urged countries to broaden their sanctions to include individuals such as the Crown Prince, who is considered by many to be the kingdom’s de facto ruler, including his personal assets abroad, until and unless he can prove he has no involvement in the matter of Khashoggi’s death.
Khashoggi was considered a possible target, having been a critic of the prince as well as a columnist for the Washington Post. He was last seen on October 2nd at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where he had gone to receive appropriate papers for the purpose of going through with his wedding. His body was speculated to have been dismembered, and promptly removed from the building according to the Saudi prosecutor, and his remains have yet to be found.
By Patryk Krych | The World Daily
