US imposes sanctions over murder

But measures exclude Riyadh, an important ally in Middle East

WASHINGTON/RIYADH — The United States has imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, as Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor sought the death penalty for five suspects in the murder.

The US Treasury Department’s sanctions were the first concrete response by Washington to Khashoggi’s death in the Saudi consulate in Turkey in October.

The measure was unusual for Washington, which rarely imposes sanctions on Saudi nationals. The sanctions do not target the Riyadh government, an important US security and economic ally.

It also allows the administration to stop short of action that might affect lucrative US arms deals with Saudi Arabia that US President Donald Trump has vowed to preserve.

The sanctions limit access to the US financial system and freeze people’s assets. They will be implemented under an act which targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuses and corruption.

“These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions,” US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said.

Canada, which had a major diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia this year over human rights, welcomed the US sanctions and said it was considering similar action.

Khashoggi, a critic of Riyadh, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct 2. 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 government has not been tough enough.

Later on Thursday, 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 civil war.

Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of Khashoggi’s disappearance, but then offered contradictory explanations including that he was killed in a rogue operation.

Lethal injection

Saudi deputy public prosecutor and spokesman Shalaan al-Shalaan said on Thursday 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”.

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 negotiator had surveyed the consulate before Khashoggi entered and decided it was unfeasible to remove him, so instead they killed him.

US State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said there could be further US measures. “It’s a step in the right direction. It is an initial investigation finding. It is important that those steps continue to be taken for a full accountability. We will continue to work diligently to ascertain the facts,” she said.

Reuters, AP contributed to this story.