"The court issued death sentences on five men who directly took part in the killing," the prosecutor, Shalaan al-Shalaan, said in a statement.
Saudi prosecutors had said deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri oversaw the Washington Post columnist's killing in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate in October 2018 and that he was advised by the royal court's media czar Saud al-Qahtani.
However, al-Qahtani was investigated but not indicted "due to insufficient evidence" and al-Assiri was investigated and charged but eventually acquitted on the same grounds, the statement said.
The court also ruled that the Saudi consul-general in Istanbul at the time, Mohammed al-Otaibi, was not guilty. He was released from prison after the verdicts were announced, according to state TV.
After holding nine sessions, the trial concluded that there was no previous intent by those found guilty to murder, according to state TV.
Of the 11 unnamed individuals indicted in the case, five were sentenced to death, while three face jail terms totalling 24 years, and the others were acquitted. All can appeal the verdicts.
The trials of the accused were carried out in near-total secrecy, though a handful of diplomats, including from Turkey, as well as members of Khashoggi's family, were allowed to attend the sessions.
from aljazeera.com
I hope it's actually the real perpetrators that we're sentenced. It was obviously a conspiracy, quite tragic.
ReplyDeleteFall guys. Of course some other people have to take the bait to bury this issue.
ReplyDeleteIf Mohammed Bin Salman is not in jail then justice is not yet served. He should be in jail or be hanged.
ReplyDeleteMBS is untouchable. This just proves it.
DeleteThe scape goats that were used are paying ultimately. The master minders have been let off the hook. It was politically motivated so top officials were definitely involved.
ReplyDeleteWhat about the crowned prince? Thought it was insinuated that he had something to do with this? I guess he's untouchable
ReplyDelete@ Choice!..I don't think he his untouchable. If he was part of it,he will face the law. Just like Prince Turki's who was executed for murder, and was announced by Saudi state media in October 2016.
DeleteThe Crown Prince is untouchable and that’s why these people are the scapegoats.
DeleteThe top figures exonerated while the 'low' figures became scapegoats? This is so wrong!!!
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ReplyDeleteShame on Saudi for sparing their crowned prince who ordered his murder.
ReplyDeleteDouble standard and subterfuge everywhere in this vain world.
Hmmm, it’s obvious the crown prince ordered this hit; what’s not so obvious is - who else among the royal family sanctioned this?
DeleteWhat is great news in this they just found scape goats and let the masterminds free
ReplyDeleteHow can it be great news when the 5 who are being sentenced to death were the ones who were ordered to do it.
ReplyDeleteHow on earth do we believe these guys aren’t scapegoats?
ReplyDeleteMBS, has Khashoggi’s blood on his hands. The way and manner he was killed was horrible. There’s no way on earth that he and the guys who actually carried out the cutting, packing and cleaning up will forever remain the same. That is one killing that will forever haunt them.
After l braved up and watched the video of his killing, l couldn’t eat beef for weeks. I decided after that, never to watch any such video again.
ReplyDeleteNever seen the video. Just the narratives was cringing.
DeleteHow come Ahamed al-Assiri that oversee the killing acquitted? The major players in this are
ReplyDeleteAhamed al-Assiri, Crown Prince and Saud al-Qahtani.