The Saudis had presented conflicting stories about the journalist’s death, initially denying any knowledge before arguing that a group of rogue operators were responsible for his death.
A demonstrator holds a poster picturing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and a lightened candle during a gathering outside the Saudi Arabia consulate in Istanbul. (Photo: AFP)
Saudi prosecutors said on Thursday that they have requested the death penalty for five people who they say were involved in murdering Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
A total of 11 people were charged, the Saudi Public Prosecutor’s office said, adding that the five people facing capital punishment were directly involved in “ordering and executing the crime”, according to a report in CNN.
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Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was killed inside the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2 after he went there to get documents for his forthcoming marriage.
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The Saudis had presented conflicting stories about the journalist’s death, initially denying any knowledge before arguing that a group of rogue operators were responsible for his death.
After the kingdom admitted that Khashoggi was killed in its consulate in Turkey, five high-ranking officials were dismissed, including Bin Salman’s media chief and the deputy head of the Saudi intelligence service, and 18 people were arrested.
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