Key suspects

Ahmad Al Assiri

Al Assiri, 66, received military training in some of the world’s most prestigious academies. He rose to prominence through an outstanding career in military and security positions. In 2014, he was appointed as consultant in the office of the defence minister and in 2015 he was appointed the official spokesman for the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen. In 2017 he was appointed vice-president of the General Intelligence.

Saud Al Qahtani

Al Qahtani, 40, has been a highly visible media figure. He holds a degree in law from King Saud University and a Master’s degree in criminal justice from Nayef Arab University. In 2003 he became a law consultant at the Crown Prince’s Court. In 2005, he became the deputy director general of the media monitoring centre at the Royal Court. He was promoted director general of the media monitoring and analysis at the Royal Court before he was appointed consultant at the court.