Saudi Court Sentences 5 to Death for Khashoggi’s Killing

Saudi Arabia on Monday sentenced five unnamed people to death over the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last year. The court found they were guilty of “committing and directly participating in the murder of the victim.” It also sentenced three people to jail terms totaling 24 years “for their role in covering up this crime and violating the law.” It dismissed charges against another three people on trial for the same crime, finding them not guilty. The verdicts can still be appealed. Khashoggi, a US resident and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen at the consulate in on Oct. 2, 2018. His body was reportedly dismembered and removed from the building. His remains have not been found. The killing has been the focus of harsh criticism of the crown prince – the kingdom’s de facto ruler – who has cultivated the image of a reformer and modernizer. Some Western governments have said they believe the crown prince was behind the killing, something Saudi Arabia vehemently denies.