The Saudi royal adviser who allegedly oversaw the brutal murder of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi is not among the suspects on trial for his death.
Saud al-Qahtani, a close confidant of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, reportedly gave orders over Skype to the security and intelligence agents who tortured, killed, and dismembered Khashoggi in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October. Turkish authorities say they have recordings of Qahtani directing the proceedings, and the United States sanctioned him after the murder.
But seven sources told Reuters that Qahtani, who was fired but still moves in royal circles, is not on trial and hasn’t appeared in court. Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor indicted 11 unnamed suspects late last year, including a handful who could receive the death penalty. A select group of foreigners is allowed to observe the court sessions, which opened in January, though it is barred from bringing interpreters.
In the days after the disappearance of Khashoggi, whose remains have not been found, the Saudis faced increasing pressure to provide answers and the Trump administration’s friendly relationship with the crown prince was heavily scrutinized. The CIA has accused Mohammed bin Salman of ordering Khashoggi’s assassination, a charge the kingdom denies. The United Nations has launched an inquiry into the murder, but the Saudi government has announced it will not cooperate.
