UN expert calls for investigation of Saudi crown prince in Khashoggi killing

An independent investigation by a United Nations human rights expert recommends a probe into Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in connection with the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The Associated Press reports.

Executions investigator Agnes Callamard’s 101-page report mentions “credible evidence” supporting Saudi Arabia’s responsibility for the “deliberate, premeditated execution” of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor.

{mosads}Callamard urged other U.N. officials to “demand” a follow-up criminal investigation into Khashoggi’s death, noting the “extreme sensitivity” surrounding the case, the AP reports.

“No conclusion is made as to guilt,” Callamard wrote. “The only conclusion made is that there is credible evidence meriting further investigation.”

Callamard, who launched her probe in January, reportedly named 15 suspects in the report.

She added that the “search for justice and accountability” isn’t about finding a “smoking gun or the person holding it.” Instead, she wrote, her focus was mainly revealing the individuals who acted inappropriately in positions of power.

After initial reports of Khashoggi’s killing by Saudi operatives in October, which took place after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Riyadh said it was unaware of the killing. The country’s attorney general later backtracked, acknowledging that Khashoggi was murdered and the killing was premeditated.

The CIA concluded bin Salman ordered the slaying, which he has continued to deny.

While several lawmakers believe it is certain that bin Salman ordered Khashoggi’s murder, President Trump has instead underscored the benefits of the U.S.’s relationship with the kingdom.