Reports from Saudi Arabia state that the fiancee of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi and a human rights organization he founded shortly after his death has pressed an accusation on Saudi crown prince Muhammad bin Salman for Khashoggi’s killing. Sources say that Khashoggi’s fiancee sues the Saudi Crown prince for his alleged involvement in Khashoggi’s murder. His fiancee feels that the crown prince arranged the murder of Jamal Khashoggi to permanently silence him regarding the democratic reform in Arab states.
Khashoggi’ Fiancee Sues Saudi Crown Prince
The Federal lawsuit initiated by Khashoggi’s fiancee has alleged that Khashoggi was tortured, murdered, and beaten up “pursuant to a directive of Defendant Mohammad bin Salman.” The motives presented for the alleged murder are that the crown prince, along with other named co-defendants viewed Kashoggi’s actions in the United States as proof of an existential threat. This threat to their pecuniary interests compelled them to arrange for Khashoggi’s murder.
“I want the truth. We know who is responsible, but we want the whole truth and we want accountability” – said Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancee, at a news conference where she announced the lawsuit. “I asked the United States government — a nation that has stood for justice, accountability and human rights — I ask that you stand with me and all those who love Jamal and say, we will support your efforts to fully uncover the truth and ensure that those responsible are found liable in a court of law,” she said in addition.
Faisal Gill, one of the lawyers representing Khashoggi’s financee and the co-plaintiff Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), stated that the immediate goal of the lawsuit is to “first and foremost” employ the discovery process. The discovery process will be used to acquire documents, recordings, and other evidence which they believe is currently in the possession of the Saudi, Turkish and U.S. governments. They aim to have a court of law hold Prince Mohammed liable for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
CIA concludes that Saudi Crown Prince is behind the murder
Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent Washington Post columnist, who was vocally critical of the Saudi government, was murdered and dismembered in 2018. The investigations revealed that he was hit by a squad while he was at the Saudi consulate located in Istanbul. Khashoggi was at the Saudi consulate to obtain documents for a marriage license with his fiancee.
The CIA has concluded after lengthy investigations that Prince Mohammed had indeed ordered the killing. CIA has also stated that the Saudi officials denied having any knowledge of the plot.
Khashoggi’s death resulted in an international outrage, this outrage extended to calls from lawmakers in the U.S. from both parties to rekindle the U.S. relationship with Saudi Arabia. However, the Trump administration has been reluctant to publicly announce the involvement of Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi’s murder.
