A UN expert investigating the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has found ‘credible evidence’ linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the killing, according to a report.
Agnes Callamard, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, is recommending an investigation into the possible role of the Crown Prince, after releasing a 101-page report into the October killing that lays out dozens of recommendations.
Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the prince and a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct 2 where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding.
His body was dismembered and removed from the building, the Saudi prosecutor has said, and his remains have not been found.
The report called for countries to widen sanctions to include the Crown Prince and his personal assets, until and unless he can prove he has no responsibility.
It recommends that UN bodies or Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to "demand" a follow-up criminal investigation.
Ms Callamard noted the "extreme sensitivity" of considering the criminal responsibility of the crown prince, as well as Saud Alqahtani, a senior adviser to the Saudi royal court who has not been charged.
"No conclusion is made as to guilt," she wrote of the two men. "The only conclusion made is that there is credible evidence meriting further investigation."
There was no immediate reaction from Riyadh which was sent the 100-page report in advance - but the kingdom has regularly denied accusations that the prince was involved.
"It is the conclusion of the Special Rapporteur that Mr. Khashoggi has been the victim of a deliberate, premeditated execution, an extrajudicial killing for which the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible under international human rights law," Ms Callamard said in her report based on a six-month investigation.
Ms Callamard went to Turkey earlier this year with a team of forensic and legal experts and said she received evidence from Turkish authorities.
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"There is credible evidence, warranting further investigation of high-level Saudi officials' individual liability, including the Crown Princes", she said.
"Indeed, this human rights inquiry has shown that there is sufficient credible evidence regarding the responsibility of the Crown Prince demanding further investigation," she added, urging UN Secretary-General to establish an international probe.
Agencies contributed to this report.
