Saudi Arabia condemns five to death over journalist Jamal Khashoggi assassination

Saudi Arabia has convicted five people to death for the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the kingdom’s public prosecutor announced Monday.

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and a Washington Post columnist, was killed and dismembered on October 2, 2018, in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by men with close ties to the highest levels of the Saudi government and bin Salman.

The killing caused a global uproar, tarnishing the crown prince’s image. The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe Prince Mohammed ordered the killing, but Saudi officials say he had no role. Eleven Saudi suspects were put on trial over his death in secretive proceedings in Riyadh.

In a press conference reported by state media Monday, the prosecutor also said former royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani was investigated but “no proof” was determined against him.

The court also pronounced the Saudi consul-general in Istanbul, Mohammed al-Otaibi, not guilty. He and nine others who were not identified were discharged from prison after the sentences were announced, according to state TV.