Pompeo: No ‘direct’ proof linking prince, writer’s death

WASHINGTON — Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said Saturday that the U.S. has “no direct evidence” linking Saudi Arabia’s crown prince to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but declined to address reports that the CIA concluded that Mohammed bin Salman was involved.

“I have read every piece of intelligence that is in the possession of the United States government and when it is done, when you complete that analysis, there is no direct evidence linking him to the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” Pompeo said in interview Saturday with CNN from the Group of 20 meeting.

The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday that it had reviewed excerpts of the CIA’s report, which indicated “medium-tohigh” confidence of Salman “probably ordering his death.”