Khashoggi’s sons ‘have faith in king’

Lament the fact that their father’s death is being politicised

Abdullah and Salah, the sons of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, said they have faith in King Salman Bin Abdul Aziz and his promise to bring those responsible for their father’s death to justice.

“The king has stressed that everybody involved will be brought to justice. And I have faith in that. This will happen. Otherwise Saudi wouldn’t have started an internal investigation,” Salah said in an interview with CNN late on Sunday. Asked by CNN if he was placing his faith in the king, Salah replied: “Yes.”

The sons said they were concerned about how people are using their father’s legacy for political purposes.

“Jamal was a moderate person. He was liked by everybody. He had ...common values with everyone,” Salah said. “I see a lot of people coming out right now and trying to claim his legacy and unfortunately some of them are using that in a political way that we totally don’t agree with. Public opinion is important but my fear is that it is being over politicised. People are throwing analyses that may direct us away from the truth.

“All what we want right now is to bury him in Al Baqi (cemetery) in Madinah with the rest of his family,” Salah said.

Meanwhile, Saudi business tycoon and member of the royal family Prince Al Waleed Bin Talal said Khashoggi’s killing was a horrific and despicable act, but insisted it was not upon the orders of Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman.

Saudis at UN promise probe

In another development, Saudi Arabia told the UN yesterday it would prosecute those responsible for killing Khashoggi. Bandar Al Aiban, the head of the Saudi delegation at the first UN review of the kingdom’s record in five years, said, “As regards the passing of citizen Khashoggi, our country is committed to carrying out a fair investigation and all persons involved with that crime will be prosecuted in the justice system.”