I didn’t order journalist’s murder, says Saudi prince

SAUDI crown prince Mohammed bin Salman has said in a TV interview that he takes “full responsibility” for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but he denies allegations that he ordered the killing.

He told the US programme 60 Minutes that Mr Khashoggi’s killing was a “heinous crime” and a “mistake” by agents of the Saudi government.

Saudi Arabia has charged 11 people over Mr Khashoggi’s death.

Mr Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Turkey on October 2 last year and never emerged. His body has never been found.

A UN report said Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for the killing and that the crown prince’s possible role should be investigated.

“This was a heinous crime,” Prince Mohammed said.

“But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government.”

Asked if he ordered the murder of Mr Khashoggi, who had criticised him in columns for The Washington Post, Prince Mohammed replied: “Absolutely not.”

Last Thursday Mr Khashoggi’s fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, said that responsibility for Mr Khashoggi’s killing “was not limited to the perpetrators” and said she wanted Prince Mohammed to tell her: “Why was Jamal killed? Where is his body? What was the motive for this murder?”

The Saudi consulate in Istanbul where the journalist was killed had been bugged and Turkish intelligence recorded the planning and the execution.