Saudi Arabia Court Sentences Five To Death For Murder Of Journalist

Saudi Arabia’s court has sentenced five men to death for their involvement in the murder of a journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, at the Saudi consulate in Instanbul.

This was disclosed by Saudi public prosecutor’s office.

Three others may also get a 24-year jail term for their roles in the event.

The Guardian UK reports that all 11 people on trial were found guilty of the killing, which triggered the kingdom’s biggest diplomatic crisis since the 9/11 attacks as world leaders and business executives sought to distance themselves from Riyadh.

Jamal was a critic of Saudi Arabian authorities, a columnist for the Washington Post, and a general manager and editor-in-chief of Al-Arab News Channel.

He was assassinated on 2 October 2018, by agents alleged to be working for the Saudi government.

United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) had on 16 November, 2018, reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s assassination.

But according to Saudi’s attorney’s general, the crown prince former top adviser, Saud al-Qahtani was not involved in the killing.

Guardian UK also reports that the Saudi government denies the prince had knowledge of what it says was a rogue operation.

However, the deputy public prosecutor, Shalaan bin Rajih Shalaal,  said that the defendants may appeal the court’s decision.

The court also ruled that the Saudi consul-general in Istanbul had no hand in the incident.