DEATH SENTENCE
Khashoggi, a royal insider turned critic of Saudi policy, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He was a US resident and columnist for The Washington Post and his killing has provoked a political crisis in Saudi Arabia as well as friction with Western allies.
Some members of the US Congress said that even with the sanctions the Administration has not been tough enough, specifically in regard to the Saudi crown prince.
Democratic Senator Ben Cardin said: ‘‘I remain concerned that the Administration is enabling the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in its effort to protect Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman from accountability.’’
Yesterday senators from both US parties introduced legislation that, if it became law, would suspend weapon sales to Saudi Arabia as punishment for Khashoggi’s death and for its role in Yemen’s devastating civil war.
Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi’s disappearance, then offered contradictory explanations including that he was killed in a rogue operation.
Saudi deputy public prosecutor and spokesman Shalaan alShalaan said yesterday Khashoggi died by lethal injection after a struggle.
Without naming them, Shalaan said the Saudi prosecutor had requested the death penalty for five people ‘‘charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals’’. He said 11 of 21 suspects have been indicted and will be referred to court.
Shalaan said Prince Mohammed, Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, knew nothing of the operation, in which Khashoggi’s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed over to an unidentified ‘‘local cooperator.’’
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said the order for the operation came from the highest level of Saudi leadership but probably not King Salman, putting the spotlight instead on his 33yearold heir.
Turkey wants the 15man team it says killed Khashoggi to be tried there. Trump has suggested ultimate responsibility lies with the prince.
Shalaan said Khashoggi was murdered after ‘‘negotiations’’ for his return to the kingdom failed. When asked why such a large team capable of poisoning and dismembering a body was used for a supposed extraction, Shalaan said the lead nego