Saudi minister rejects UN probe into Khashoggi killing

International Desk: Saudi Arabia does not need a UN or international investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi because its "competent legal system" can handle the matter, said its minister of state for foreign affairs.

Adel al-Jubeir told the US TV programme Face the Nation on Sunday that the October 2 slaying of the journalist inside the Saudi consulate in Turkey was "a massive tragedy" and denied it was sanctioned by  Saudi Arabia's leadership.

US intelligence agencies concluded the killing would almost certainly have needed the approval of the kingdom's de-facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). In December US senators backed a measure accusing MBS of ordering Khashoggi's murder.

UN: Riyadh 'undermined' Turkey's access to Khashoggi murder scene
"The crown prince had nothing to do with this," Jubeir said. "There was no order given to murder Jamal Khashoggi and the whole country is shocked by this.

"It was a mistake. It was committed by officials of the Saudi government acting outside their scope of authority. The king ordered an investigation," said Jubeir.
Eleven suspects have been indicted and referred to trial in Saudi Arabia with five facing the death penalty. The proceedings have not been public.

Source: Agencies


risingbd/Feb 11, 2019/Mukul