Saudi Arabia’s public prosecution announced on Thursday it will seek the death penalty for five of eleven individuals charged for their role in the murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
“The Public Prosecutor has requested the death penalty for (5) individuals who are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals,” the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported, citing an official statement.
The prosecutor said the total number of suspects in custody has reached 21.
The US Department of Treasury, shortly after the Saudi announcement, sanctioned Saud al-Qahtani, Maher Mutreb, the former Saudi consul general in Istanbul and 14 other members of an operations team for their role in the murder of Khashoggi. The timing suggested the Trump White House had immediately adopted the Saudi prosecutor’s conclusions, namely the omission of the monarchy.
Drugged and dismembered
Khashoggi was drugged by the five accused and then dismembered, a spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office said in the first Saudi acknowledgment about how he was killed.
The journalist’s body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds, the spokesman said, according to AFP.
It is unclear whether Saud al-Qahtani and Ahmad al-Assiri, senior officials who were relieved of their posts in the wake of the Saudi admission of guilt, are among those indicted. The two men are closely linked to the powerful crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who has sought to wash his hands of the affair.
The brazen killing of Khashoggi, a rare Saudi insider willing to speak to American policymakers and journalists freely, sparked outrage in Washington. The monarchy, which initially denied all state culpability, was forced to go into damage control mode to avert a crisis with the Trump White House.
Riyadh on Thursday also pledged to provide a sketch of a “local collaborator” sought by Turkish authorities. Since Khashoggi’s disappearance, Ankara has pressured the Saudis with a steady drip of leaks as to the level of evidence in its possession.
The Turks kept up the pressure yesterday, saying the Saudi explanation over Khashoggi’s murder was “insufficient”.
However, analysts believe that with its newfound leverage over the crown prince, Turkey will likely seek to avoid crossing the tipping point where the Saudi monarchy sidelines him as a liability.
The Saudi public prosecutor said it had meanwhile submitted “formal requests to brotherly authorities in Turkey” to provide any audio recordings related to the case, which have thus far been shared with the CIA and other Western governments.
Five proxies gets death penalty for following orders. In the Jamal Khashoggi murder we see Saudi Arabia changing their story all the time. There can be no doubt this was a carefully planed murder were even a Turkish contractor was hired to take care of Mr. Khashoggi’s dismembered body. This operation must have been approved by the highest level in the Saudi administration.
The US seem to be frustrated of Crown Prince MBS management of Saudi Arabia. US Senators want to stop weapons export to Saudi Arabia, and sanctions has been imposed on a few Saudi individuals. In the US money talks, so a stop of exports of weapons are wishful dreams.
Crown Prince MBS popularity has been damaged internationally, within the Royal Family, and in the Saudi population. Even months ago there has been talks about a regime change in Saudi Arabia. CIA covert operations has allegedly been preparing for a regime change, and even a Balkanization of Saudi Arabia.
Several years ago Ex-CIA regional expert Bruce Riedel spoke about Saudi Arabia nuclear weapons capability (speeches available on YouTube). It is public knowledge the Saudis has rockets capable to carry a nuclear war-head, these rockets has been displayed in military parades. Ex-CIA regional expert Bruce Riedel sources has indicated to him Saudi Arabia already have one or more nuclear war-heads, Wikileaks, and other reputable sources has alleged Saudis has one or more nukes. According to Senator Lindsey Graham Crown Prince MBS is unstable, it is a scary scenario if Saudi Arabia have nuclear bombs if Senator Graham’s assessment of MBS is correct. What’s next? A CIA supported "intervention"?
Five proxies gets death penalty for following orders. In the Jamal Khashoggi murder we see Saudi Arabia changing their story all the time. There can be no doubt this was a carefully planed murder were even a Turkish contractor was hired to take care of Mr. Khashoggi’s dismembered body. This operation must have been approved by the highest level in the Saudi administration.
The US seem to be frustrated of Crown Prince MBS management of Saudi Arabia. US Senators want to stop weapons export to Saudi Arabia, and sanctions has been imposed on a few Saudi individuals. In the US money talks, so a stop of exports of weapons are wishful dreams.
Crown Prince MBS popularity has been damaged internationally, within the Royal Family, and in the Saudi population. Even months ago there has been talks about a regime change in Saudi Arabia. CIA covert operations has allegedly been preparing for a regime change, and even a Balkanization of Saudi Arabia.
Several years ago Ex-CIA regional expert Bruce Riedel spoke about Saudi Arabia nuclear weapons capability (speeches available on YouTube). It is public knowledge the Saudis has rockets capable to carry a nuclear war-head, these rockets has been displayed in military parades. Ex-CIA regional expert Bruce Riedel sources has indicated to him Saudi Arabia already have one or more nuclear war-heads, Wikileaks, and other reputable sources has alleged Saudis has one or more nukes. According to Senator Lindsey Graham Crown Prince MBS is unstable, it is a scary scenario if Saudi Arabia have nuclear bombs if Senator Graham’s assessment of MBS is correct. What’s next? A CIA supported "intervention"?
No one will be damaged as long MBS is on helm of affairs. All this is just disguise to shut those mouths who are still murmuring.
No one will be damaged as long MBS is on helm of affairs. All this is just disguise to shut those mouths who are still murmuring.
FIVE SAUDIS WILL PAY THE PRICE FOR MBS ARROGANCE. THIS NOTHING BIT A CHARADE FOR ERDOGAN TO PULL A HEIST OF SAUDIS WEALTH. AND ALSO TO COVER FOR TRUMPS BISSINESS DEALS OF US MILITARY HARDWARE. ALL A CHARADE FRO THE INSOUCIANT AMERICAN PUBLIC!!
FIVE SAUDIS WILL PAY THE PRICE FOR MBS ARROGANCE. THIS NOTHING BIT A CHARADE FOR ERDOGAN TO PULL A HEIST OF SAUDIS WEALTH. AND ALSO TO COVER FOR TRUMPS BISSINESS DEALS OF US MILITARY HARDWARE. ALL A CHARADE FRO THE INSOUCIANT AMERICAN PUBLIC!!