New US intelligence findings in the case of Jamal Khashoggi strengthen, according to a media report, the suspicion against the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Yesterday, the New York Times reported that the Crown Prince told a staff member about a year before the journalist was murdered that he would „take a bullet“ against Khashoggi if necessary. It was unclear, however, in how far that had been meant literally.
The newspaper cites a conversation between the powerful heir to the throne and one of his coworkers in September 2017, which was overheard by US intelligence agencies. The recorded conversation was therefore only recently recorded in writing.
Mohammed bin Salman said that the exiled Khashoggi in Washington must be lured to Saudi Arabia or brought back by force. If that did not succeed, he would „take a bullet“ against the government-critical journalist.
Deadline for US Senate Trump expires
About 13 months after this conversation, Khashoggi was assassinated by an extra 15-member commando at the Istanbul Consulate. The Saudi Arabian leadership denies ordering the murder of the journalist and blames arbitrary agents.
The „New York Times“ report appeared just prior to a US Congress deadline for President Donald Trump’s government in the Khashoggi case. The Senate Foreign Relations Committee gave the government 120 days in October to designate and prosecute those responsible for the murder. The deadline expires today.
Last week, the US government imposed sanctions on 17 current or former government employees of the kingdom. The Saudi Arabian leadership remained undisturbed. In contrast, the Senate in a resolution in December made the powerful crown prince „responsible for the murder“ of the government critic. Trump continues to rely on a close alliance with the heir to the throne.
Turkey criticizes investigations
An advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan sharply criticized Saudi Arabia’s investigations. The „complete lack of transparency“ is deeply disturbing and damages the credibility of the Saudi Arabian authorities, said Fahrettin Altun, Head of Communications of the Turkish President.
