Saudi court overturns death sentence of Jamal Khashoggi's killers; fiancee calls it farce

In a shocking development, Saudi Arabia on Monday overturned death sentences of five individuals who were convicted for brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In final hearing of case, Riyadh Criminal Court handed 20-year sentences to five people who were earlier given death sentences and seven to 10 years prison to three ors - who were earlier sent to prison for 24-years.

This comes after Saudi critic Khashoggi's sons said in May that y had pardoned killers of ir far. As per Saudi law, a pardon from a son of a murder victim is a legal reprieve. On May 21, Salah Khashoggi, eldest son of  late journalist who was killed inside Saudi consulate in Turkey, took to Twitter and said, "On this virtuous night of (Ramadan), we recall words of God Almighty ... whoever pardons and makes reconciliations, his reward is from Allah. So we, sons of martyr Jamal Khashoggi, anunce that we have pardoned (those) who killed our far."

However, Hatice Cengiz - Turkish fiancee of slain journalist has called ruling a 'farce'. Taking to Twitter, she said, " ruling handed down today in Saudi Arabia again makes a complete mockery of justice. international community will t accept this farce."

READ | “I’m Suffocating" - Final Words Of Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi, a fierce critic of Saudi Arabian regime and Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, was killed inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. He went to Saudi consulate to obtain necessary documents for marrying his Turkish fiancee, however, he never returned. Initially,  Saudi government denied any kwledge of his death, only to conclude later that he died during a 'fight after resisting attempts to return him to Saudi Arabia'. His body has t been found till date, with various narratives being floated of how his body was dismembered.

After numerous denials, pressure from Turkey and international media, on September 26, 2019, Saudi's Crown Prince MbS said that he bears responsibility for killing of Khashoggi, considering it happened 'under his watch.' "It happened under my watch. I get all responsibility because it happened under my watch," MbS said in documentary scheduled to release on October 1.  When questioned how Crown Prince was unaware of murder, he defended saying, "We have 20 million people. We have three million government employees."  CIA in 2018 concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered Khashoggi's brutal killing. charge has been firmly refuted by Riyadh. 

READ | 'Credible evidence' linking Saudi Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman to columnist Jamal Khashoggi's murder

Secret trial by Riyadh

In December last year, Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death and three ors were awarded jail sentences for 24-years. What raised doubts about trials was fact that Saudi regime did t disclose identity of those sentenced, while people close to MbS who were accused of brutal murder eir disappeared or were given a clean chit. Saud bin Abdullah al-Qahtani, former media consultant to Mohammed bin Salman was investigated, however, he was released without any charges. Saud al-Qahtani, who was sacked from his position following Khashoggi's murder in October 2018, has entirely receded from public view. While his disappearance remains a mystery, re were reports afloat claiming that Saud al-Qahtani was poisoned to death by Mohammed bin Salman. 

READ | Saudi Crown Prince Says 'Jamal Khashoggi Was Murdered Under My Watch'

A close aid of Mohammed bin Salman, Saud al-Qahtani, was kwn to be instrumental in murder of Jamal Khashoggi, UN investigation led by Human Rights expert Agnes Callamard reported. Apart from him, former deputy Intelligence Chief Ahmed al-Asiri was released over lack of evidence against him.  CIA in 2018 has already concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman personally ordered Khashoggi's brutal killing. charge has been firmly refuted by Riyadh.

READ | Jamal Khashoggi Murder: Saudi Arabia Sentences 5 People To Death In Secret Trial

(AP im)