US CIA concludes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman behind Jamal Khashoggi murder: report

US Central Intelligence ncy has concluded Saudi's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was behind killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Washington Post reported on vember 16, citing people close to matter.

US assessment directly contricts conclusions of a Saudi prosecutor one day prior, which exonerated prince of involvement in brutal murder.

According to CIA findings, 15 Saudi nts flew on government aircraft to Istanbul and assassinated Khashoggi in Saudi consulate, Post said.

Queried by AFP, CIA declined to comment.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, h gone to consulate to obtain documents necessary to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Saudi Arabia has repeatedly changed its official narrative of October 2 murder, first denying any kwledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts and later saying he was killed when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

In latest version presented by Saudi prosecutor on Thursday, a 15-member squ was formed to bring Khashoggi back from Istanbul "by means of persuasion" -- but inste ended up killing journalist and dismembering his body in a "rogue" operation.

RE | ''Will Hold Khashoggi Killers Accountable'' Says Mike Pompeo

CIA scrubbed multiple intelligence sources, Post said, among m a phone call between prince's bror -- Saudi ambassor to United States -- and Khashoggi.

ambassor reportedly told late journalist that he would be safe to go to consulate in Istanbul and get papers he needed.

US intelligence ncy also said in determining Crown Prince's role it considered him a "de facto ruler" in Saudi Arabia: " accepted position is that re is way this happened without him being aware or involved," Post quoted an official as saying.

That official dubbed Prince Mohammed a "good techcrat" -- but also someone unpredictable who "goes from zero to 60, doesn't seem to understand that re are some things you can't do." 

CIA conclusions threaten to furr fray relations between Washington and key ally Riyh, which has sought to end discussion of Khashoggi's murder and rejected calls for an international investigation.

On Thursday US Treasury slapped sanctions on 17 people, including close aides of Prince Mohammed, suggesting a coordinated effort between Riyh and Washington to pre-empt threat of harsher actions from an outrd US Congress.

RE | Five Saudi Officials Face Death Penalty For Jamal Khashoggi Murder