A key suspect in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport.

Khalid Alotaibi was arrested at the airport while he was, reportedly, gearing up to fly to Saudi Arabia. Alotaibi has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering a Saudi Arabian origin journalist in 2018, reports AFP.

Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian origin journalist who was brutally murdered as soon as he entered the building of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-urges-saudi-arabia-to-disband-rapid-intervention-force-linked-to-khashoggi-murder-367266">US urges Saudi Arabia to disband Rapid Intervention Force linked to Khashoggi murder</a>

Later, it was claimed by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the murder of Khashoggi was carried out by a group of state agents who had gone rogue. He had also vowed that these murders will be held and justice will be brought to the journalist’s death.

Now, the 33-year-old former Saudi Royal Guard member, Khaled Aedh Al-Otaibi has been arrested years later. He was, reportedly, travelling under his real name and with real passport. However, to be sure, the authorities are double-checking his identity.

Khashoggi was a prominent journalist who was based in the US is self-exile and was a reporter for the Washington Post. The journalist was strangled to death by a hit squad in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and his body was later dismembered. However, his body was never&nbsp;retrieved.

He had gone to the consulate&nbsp;on October 2, 2018 to finish up paperwork that he needed to&nbsp;marry his Turkish fiancee.

Authorities have been hunting for his murderers since 2018.

This arrest in France comes a few days after the&nbsp;French President Emmanuel Macron defended his move of including Saudi Arabia in&nbsp;a tour of Gulf states. He vows that he has not forgotten&nbsp;the Khashoggi case.

(With inputs from agencies)

A key suspect in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Khalid Alotaibi was arrested at the airport while he was, reportedly, gearing up to fly to Saudi Arabia.

A key suspect in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been arrested at Charles de Gaulle Airport. Khalid Alotaibi was arrested at the airport while he was, reportedly, gearing up to fly to Saudi Arabia. Alotaibi has been arrested on the suspicion of murdering a Saudi Arabian origin journalist in 2018, reports AFP. Khashoggi was a Saudi Arabian origin journalist who was brutally murdered as soon as he entered the building of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. Also read | US urges Saudi Arabia to disband Rapid Intervention Force linked to Khashoggi murder Later, it was claimed by the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that the murder of Khashoggi was carried out by a group of state agents who had gone rogue. He had also vowed that these murders will be held and justice will be brought to the journalist’s death. Now, the 33-year-old former Saudi Royal Guard member, Khaled Aedh Al-Otaibi has been arrested years later. He was, reportedly, travelling under his real name and with real passport. However, to be sure, the authorities are double-checking his identity. Khashoggi was a prominent journalist who was based in the US is self-exile and was a reporter for the Washington Post. The journalist was strangled to death by a hit squad in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, and his body was later dismembered. However, his body was never retrieved. He had gone to the consulate on October 2, 2018 to finish up paperwork that he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Authorities have been hunting for his murderers since 2018. This arrest in France comes a few days after the French President Emmanuel Macron defended his move of including Saudi Arabia in a tour of Gulf states. He vows that he has not forgotten the Khashoggi case. (With inputs from agencies)

One of the suspects of Jamal Khashoggi's murder arrested in France: Reports

French officials have freed a Saudi man a day after he was arrested on suspicion of links to the murder of the dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, saying Wednesday that it was a case of mistaken identity.

French authorities arrested the man on Tuesday at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris because his name and age matched that of Khalid Alotaibi, 33, who is accused of being part of the team that killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. There is an outstanding Turkish arrest warrant against that Alotaibi, as well as an Interpol red notice.

Rémy Heitz, the prosecutor general, said in a statement that extensive verifications of the arrested man’s identity had established that the warrant did not apply to him. He was freed Wednesday.

The arrest briefly reignited international speculation over the killing at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are seeking to rebuild their international reputations.

Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi writer and columnist, was killed in October 2018 after entering the consulate to obtain the paperwork he needed to marry his Turkish fiancée. Once inside, he was confronted by a team of Saudi agents who tried to persuade him to return to the kingdom, according to a report by a United Nations expert on the killing. When he refused, they killed him. His remains have never been found.

A CIA assessment after the killing concluded that it was likely to have been ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed. In February, President Joe Biden allowed the release of an intelligence report that concluded that Prince Mohammed had approved the plan to capture or kill Khashoggi.

But the Saudis have called the killing a rogue operation and Crown Prince Mohammed has denied that he ordered it or knew about it in advance.

The mix-up at the Paris airport came just days after President Emmanuel Macron of France, on a visit to several Gulf states this week, stopped in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed.

Human rights groups like Amnesty International criticized Macron, accusing him of rehabilitating Crown Prince Mohammed on the international stage. But Macron defended the visit, telling reporters that Saudi Arabia was a key player in the region.

“Who can think for one second that you help Lebanon, that you preserve peace and stability in the Middle East, if you say ‘We don’t talk to Saudi Arabia anymore,’ the most populated and most important country in the Gulf?” Macron said.

“That doesn’t mean that I support, it doesn’t mean that I forget, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t demanding partners,” he added. “It’s just acting for our country and for the region’s interests.”

A Turkish trial of the suspects in Khashoggi’s killing has been proceeding slowly, mainly because Saudi Arabia has refused to hand over any of the accused.

A Saudi court sentenced five men to death and three to prison terms for the murder, but the death sentences were replaced by prison terms after one of Khashoggi’s sons said he and his siblings had pardoned the killers.

But access to the trial was limited, the names of those convicted were never made public and rights groups dismissed the process as a sham.

French officials have freed a Saudi man a day after he was arrested on suspicion of links to the murder of the dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, saying Wednesday that it was a case of mistaken identity.

French officials have freed a Saudi man a day after he was arrested on suspicion of links to the murder of the dissident Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, saying Wednesday that it was a case of mistaken identity. French authorities arrested the man on Tuesday at the Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport near Paris because his name and age matched that of Khalid Alotaibi, 33, who is accused of being part of the team that killed Khashoggi inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in 2018. There is an outstanding Turkish arrest warrant against that Alotaibi, as well as an Interpol red notice. Rémy Heitz, the prosecutor general, said in a statement that extensive verifications of the arrested man’s identity had established that the warrant did not apply to him. He was freed Wednesday. The arrest briefly reignited international speculation over the killing at a time when Saudi Arabia and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, are seeking to rebuild their international reputations. Khashoggi, a prominent Saudi writer and columnist, was killed in October 2018 after entering the consulate to obtain the paperwork he needed to marry his Turkish fiancée. Once inside, he was confronted by a team of Saudi agents who tried to persuade him to return to the kingdom, according to a report by a United Nations expert on the killing. When he refused, they killed him. His remains have never been found. A CIA assessment after the killing concluded that it was likely to have been ordered by Crown Prince Mohammed. In February, President Joe Biden allowed the release of an intelligence report that concluded that Prince Mohammed had approved the plan to capture or kill Khashoggi. But the Saudis have called the killing a rogue operation and Crown Prince Mohammed has denied that he ordered it or knew about it in advance. The mix-up at the Paris airport came just days after President Emmanuel Macron of France, on a visit to several Gulf states this week, stopped in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed. Human rights groups like Amnesty International criticized Macron, accusing him of rehabilitating Crown Prince Mohammed on the international stage. But Macron defended the visit, telling reporters that Saudi Arabia was a key player in the region. “Who can think for one second that you help Lebanon, that you preserve peace and stability in the Middle East, if you say ‘We don’t talk to Saudi Arabia anymore,’ the most populated and most important country in the Gulf?” Macron said. “That doesn’t mean that I support, it doesn’t mean that I forget, it doesn’t mean that we aren’t demanding partners,” he added. “It’s just acting for our country and for the region’s interests.” A Turkish trial of the suspects in Khashoggi’s killing has been proceeding slowly, mainly because Saudi Arabia has refused to hand over any of the accused. A Saudi court sentenced five men to death and three to prison terms for the murder, but the death sentences were replaced by prison terms after one of Khashoggi’s sons said he and his siblings had pardoned the killers. But access to the trial was limited, the names of those convicted were never made public and rights groups dismissed the process as a sham.

Wrong man arrested over Khashoggi killing, France says

French police officials detain a man suspected in the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Meanwhile, the Saudi embassy refutes the detained man's involvement and has demanded immediate release.

French police arrests possible suspect in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi

Justin Bieber performed in front of a packed audience on Sunday night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Several human rights activists had appealed to the pop star to cancel his performance at the Formula One race but the pop star went ahead with his scheduled performance.&nbsp;

The singer was asked to boycott his performance in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest over the kingdom's arrests and crackdown of its critics.&nbsp;

Bieber's model wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, posted a supportive video on Instagram of him on stage, with the words, "Go Baby."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/justin-bieber-urged-to-cancel-performance-in-saudi-arabia-by-jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-431203" hreflang="en">Justin Bieber urged to cancel performance in Saudi Arabia by Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee&nbsp;</a> 
 
Other videos on social media showed Bieber on stage solo, wearing a coordinated red outfit. Pop and R&amp;B singer Jason Derulo also performed at the same event with backup female dancers in sweatpants and baggy tops. 
 
The performance would have been unthinkable in the country just a few years ago where the society is considered to be ultraconservative and strict norms prevailed. Concerts were banned and unmarried men and women were segregated in public spaces.&nbsp; 
 
While the changes have been brought by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince has also been criticised by human rights activists over the kingdom's treatment towards its critics. The activities have called on celebrities to boycott the kingdom- saying such events are aimed at diverting attention from the country's human rights record.&nbsp; 
 
Bieber was the biggest name to take the stage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix this year.&nbsp;

The Canadian singer had faced severe public pressure for weeks before his performance as many called for him to cancel the show. The fiancee of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi had even written an open letter urging the singer to not perform in Saudi Arabia.&nbsp; 
 
The letter published by The Washington Post, Hatice Cengiz had urged the megastar to cancel his performance to "send a powerful message to the world that your name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its critics."&nbsp;

Justin Bieber performed in front of a packed audience on Sunday night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Several human rights activists had appealed to the pop star to cancel his performance at the Formula One race but the pop star went ahead with his scheduled performance.

Justin Bieber performed in front of a packed audience on Sunday night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Several human rights activists had appealed to the pop star to cancel his performance at the Formula One race but the pop star went ahead with his scheduled performance. The singer was asked to boycott his performance in Saudi Arabia as a mark of protest over the kingdom's arrests and crackdown of its critics. Bieber's model wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, posted a supportive video on Instagram of him on stage, with the words, "Go Baby." Justin Bieber urged to cancel performance in Saudi Arabia by Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee Other videos on social media showed Bieber on stage solo, wearing a coordinated red outfit. Pop and R&B singer Jason Derulo also performed at the same event with backup female dancers in sweatpants and baggy tops. The performance would have been unthinkable in the country just a few years ago where the society is considered to be ultraconservative and strict norms prevailed. Concerts were banned and unmarried men and women were segregated in public spaces. While the changes have been brought by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince has also been criticised by human rights activists over the kingdom's treatment towards its critics. The activities have called on celebrities to boycott the kingdom- saying such events are aimed at diverting attention from the country's human rights record. Bieber was the biggest name to take the stage as part of Saudi Arabia’s Grand Prix this year. The Canadian singer had faced severe public pressure for weeks before his performance as many called for him to cancel the show. The fiancee of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi had even written an open letter urging the singer to not perform in Saudi Arabia. The letter published by The Washington Post, Hatice Cengiz had urged the megastar to cancel his performance to "send a powerful message to the world that your name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its critics."

Justin Bieber performs in Saudi Arabia despite pressure to cancel the concert

Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee has urged pop star Justin Bieber to cancel his concert in Saudi Arabia which is set to take place on December 5 in Jeddah.&nbsp; 
 
The woman, Hatice Cengiz, &nbsp;wrote an open letter and urged the singer to not perform for the slain Saudi journalist`s "murderers." 
 
Cengiz wrote an open letter to the singer published on Saturday in the Washington Post in which she urged Bieber to cancel the performance to "send a powerful message to the world that your name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its critics." 
 
President Joe Biden's administration released a US intelligence report in February implicating Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi's 2018 murder in Istanbul but spared him any direct punishment. The crown prince denies any involvement. 
 
"Do not sing for the murderers of my beloved Jamal," Cengiz wrote. "Please speak out and condemn his killer, Mohammed bin Salman. Your voice will be heard by millions." 
 
Bieber, who is Canadian, is among a group of artists scheduled to perform as Saudi Arabia hosts the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. 
 
"If you refuse to be a pawn of MBS, your message will be loud and clear: I do not perform for dictators. I choose justice and freedom over money," Cengiz wrote, using the crown prince's initials. 
 
Human rights groups have urged the performers to speak out against human rights issues in the kingdom. 
 
"Saudi Arabia has a history of using celebrities and major international events to deflect scrutiny from its pervasive abuses," Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. 
 
The advocacy group urged the performers, who also include rapper A$AP Rocky, DJs David Guetta and Tiesto and singer Jason Derulo, "to speak out publicly on rights issues or, when reputation-laundering is the primary purpose, not participate." 
 
Khashoggi, a Saudi-born US resident who wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post critical of the Saudi crown prince, was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul.

(With inputs from agencies)

Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee has urged pop star Justin Bieber to cancel his concert in Saudi Arabia which is set to take place on December 5 in Jeddah.

Slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee has urged pop star Justin Bieber to cancel his concert in Saudi Arabia which is set to take place on December 5 in Jeddah. The woman, Hatice Cengiz, wrote an open letter and urged the singer to not perform for the slain Saudi journalist`s "murderers." Cengiz wrote an open letter to the singer published on Saturday in the Washington Post in which she urged Bieber to cancel the performance to "send a powerful message to the world that your name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its critics." President Joe Biden's administration released a US intelligence report in February implicating Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Khashoggi's 2018 murder in Istanbul but spared him any direct punishment. The crown prince denies any involvement. "Do not sing for the murderers of my beloved Jamal," Cengiz wrote. "Please speak out and condemn his killer, Mohammed bin Salman. Your voice will be heard by millions." Bieber, who is Canadian, is among a group of artists scheduled to perform as Saudi Arabia hosts the Formula One Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. "If you refuse to be a pawn of MBS, your message will be loud and clear: I do not perform for dictators. I choose justice and freedom over money," Cengiz wrote, using the crown prince's initials. Human rights groups have urged the performers to speak out against human rights issues in the kingdom. "Saudi Arabia has a history of using celebrities and major international events to deflect scrutiny from its pervasive abuses," Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday. The advocacy group urged the performers, who also include rapper A$AP Rocky, DJs David Guetta and Tiesto and singer Jason Derulo, "to speak out publicly on rights issues or, when reputation-laundering is the primary purpose, not participate." Khashoggi, a Saudi-born US resident who wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post critical of the Saudi crown prince, was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul. (With inputs from agencies)

Justin Bieber urged to cancel performance in Saudi Arabia by Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee 

A former Saudi Arabian top spy has made sensational allegations against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman calling him a 'psychopath' and a 'killer'. The former spymaster also alleged that the crown prince dispatched a team of mercenaries to kill him while living in exile in Canada.

Saad Aljabri, a former top spy and interlocutor between Saudi Arabia's intelligence services and Western governments alleged that he was targeted after he fled the country following a 2017 power grab by the crown prince.

Aljabri was being interviewed on US broadcaster CBS News' "60 Minutes"

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A friend at a Middle Eastern intelligence service, he said, warned that he could face a fate similar to that of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who investigations have alleged was murdered by a Riyadh-linked death squad after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

"The warning I received, don't be in a proximity of any Saudi mission in Canada. Don't go to the consulate. Don't go to the embassy... You are on the top of the list," Aljabri told "60 minutes".

He said the team arrived in Canada in October 2018 -- only to be deported when they lied to customs officials and were found to be carrying suspicious items.

AFP was unable to independently verify Aljabri's claims, and requests for comment to the Canadian foreign ministry went unanswered.

But Canadian officials told "60 Minutes" they were "aware of incidents in which foreign actors have attempted to... threaten... those living in Canada," describing the threats as "completely unacceptable."

Aljabri said the group was made up of members of a group named in investigations as the "Tiger Squad" -- a shadow team of paid killers set up by Prince Mohammed specialising in "extrajudicial killings, rape, and torture," according to a 2019 legal complaint filed by the former spy.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/older-than-stonehenge-and-pyramids-of-giza-camel-carvings-in-saudi-arabia-date-back-8000-years-413296">Older than Stonehenge and Pyramids of Giza? Camel carvings in Saudi Arabia date back 8,000 years</a>

He said the group was part of a pattern of despotic behaviour by the crown prince, who was once hailed as a reformer but has ruthlessly purged opponents since becoming the heir-apparent.

Aljabri also said two of his eight children had been detained by Saudi authorities in retaliation for his fleeing the kingdom.&nbsp;

"I am here to sound the alarm about a psychopath, killer, in the Middle East with infinite resources, who poses threat to his people, to the Americans and to the planet," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

A former Saudi Arabian top spy has made sensational allegations against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman calling him a 'psychopath' and a 'killer'. The former spymaster also alleged that the crown prince dispatched a team of mercenaries to kill him while living in exile in Canada.

A former Saudi Arabian top spy has made sensational allegations against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman calling him a 'psychopath' and a 'killer'. The former spymaster also alleged that the crown prince dispatched a team of mercenaries to kill him while living in exile in Canada. Saad Aljabri, a former top spy and interlocutor between Saudi Arabia's intelligence services and Western governments alleged that he was targeted after he fled the country following a 2017 power grab by the crown prince. Aljabri was being interviewed on US broadcaster CBS News' "60 Minutes" Also Read | Saudi Arabia aims of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2060 A friend at a Middle Eastern intelligence service, he said, warned that he could face a fate similar to that of Saudi dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who investigations have alleged was murdered by a Riyadh-linked death squad after visiting the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in 2018. "The warning I received, don't be in a proximity of any Saudi mission in Canada. Don't go to the consulate. Don't go to the embassy... You are on the top of the list," Aljabri told "60 minutes". He said the team arrived in Canada in October 2018 -- only to be deported when they lied to customs officials and were found to be carrying suspicious items. AFP was unable to independently verify Aljabri's claims, and requests for comment to the Canadian foreign ministry went unanswered. But Canadian officials told "60 Minutes" they were "aware of incidents in which foreign actors have attempted to... threaten... those living in Canada," describing the threats as "completely unacceptable." Aljabri said the group was made up of members of a group named in investigations as the "Tiger Squad" -- a shadow team of paid killers set up by Prince Mohammed specialising in "extrajudicial killings, rape, and torture," according to a 2019 legal complaint filed by the former spy. Also Read | Older than Stonehenge and Pyramids of Giza? Camel carvings in Saudi Arabia date back 8,000 years He said the group was part of a pattern of despotic behaviour by the crown prince, who was once hailed as a reformer but has ruthlessly purged opponents since becoming the heir-apparent. Aljabri also said two of his eight children had been detained by Saudi authorities in retaliation for his fleeing the kingdom. "I am here to sound the alarm about a psychopath, killer, in the Middle East with infinite resources, who poses threat to his people, to the Americans and to the planet," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a 'psychopath' and 'killer': Ex-spy

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-intel-report-on-khashoggi-murder-366069/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The US State Department said that anti-dissident activities and operations must cease completely.

"We have urged Saudi Arabia to disband this group and then adopt institutional, systemic reforms and controls to ensure that anti-dissident activities and operations cease and cease completely," Ned Price, State Department spokesman said.

"We have made crystal clear -&nbsp;and will continue to do so -- that the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi 28 months ago remains unacceptable conduct," the State Department spokesman added.

The Biden administration had earlier imposed sanctions on the Rapid Intervention Force and had banned the entry of 76 Saudis under a new policy against foreign officials who harass dissidents.

The latest move by the US government comes after it released a report blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

Khashoggi who was a Washington Post journalist was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 &nbsp;with his body cut into pieces which were never found.

In the report it said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Saudi Arabia, however, had dismissed the report calling it "negative, false and unacceptable".

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United States has urged Saudi Arabia to disband an elite unit controlled by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that Washington sanctioned over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Watch: The US State Department said that anti-dissident activities and operations must cease completely. "We have urged Saudi Arabia to disband this group and then adopt institutional, systemic reforms and controls to ensure that anti-dissident activities and operations cease and cease completely," Ned Price, State Department spokesman said. "We have made crystal clear - and will continue to do so -- that the brutal killing of Jamal Khashoggi 28 months ago remains unacceptable conduct," the State Department spokesman added. The Biden administration had earlier imposed sanctions on the Rapid Intervention Force and had banned the entry of 76 Saudis under a new policy against foreign officials who harass dissidents. The latest move by the US government comes after it released a report blaming Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the murder of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Khashoggi who was a Washington Post journalist was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018 with his body cut into pieces which were never found. In the report it said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Saudi Arabia, however, had dismissed the report calling it "negative, false and unacceptable".

US urges Saudi Arabia to disband Rapid Intervention Force linked to Khashoggi murder

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement.

Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally."

Biden did not provide details.

But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected.

"The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said.

Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism.

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Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018.

The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group.

Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them.

(With Reuters inputs)

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

US President Joe Biden said on Saturday that US will make "an announcement" on Saudi Arabia on Monday. US intelligence report on Saturday said that Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had approved killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. However, White House played down Biden's statement on the announcement. Asked about punishing the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, who is also known as MbS, Biden said: "There will be an announcement on Monday as to what we are going to be doing with Saudi Arabia generally." Biden did not provide details. But a White House official suggested no new significant steps were expected. "The administration took a wide range of new actions on Friday. The president is referring to the fact that on Monday, the State Department will provide more details and elaborate on those announcements, not new announcements," the official said. Biden administration faced some criticism that the president should have been tougher on the crown prince who was not sanctioned despite being blamed for approving Khashoggi's murder. Washington Post was especially forthcoming in its criticism. Also Read | US President Joe Biden's challenges in West Asia Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, wrote opinion columns for the Washington Post. He was critical of the Saudi regime and Mohammed bin Salman's policies. He was killed and dismembered by a team of operatives linked to the prince in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. The Saudi government, which has denied any involvement by the crown prince, on Friday issued a statement rejecting the U.S. report’s findings and repeating its previous statements that Khashoggi’s killing was a heinous crime by a rogue group. Among the punitive steps the United States took on Friday was the imposition of a visa ban on some Saudis believed involved in the Khashoggi killing and sanctions on others, including a former deputy intelligence chief, which would freeze their U.S. assets and generally bar Americans from dealing with them. (With Reuters inputs)

US to make announcement on Saudi Arabia on Monday

Joe Biden said the US aistrikes in Syria should be seen as a warning to Iran, adding: "You can't act with impunity". Meanwhile, the United States on Friday declassified the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

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The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

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In one of the most violent prison breakouts in the history of Haiti, more than 400 prisoners have escaped from jail, with nearly 25 people pronounced dead.

&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-questions-un-high-commissioners-silence-on-terror-red-fort-violence-366553">India questions UN High Commissioner's silence on terror, Red Fort violence</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/07/12/149434-united-nations-afp.jpg?itok=pXVjEEsF" />

Indian govt has questioned the silence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Red Fort violence &amp; the issue of terrorism even as the latter continues to rake Kashmir irking Delhi.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-puts-chinese-sinopharm-on-hold-to-use-india-manufactured-vaccine-366513">Sri Lanka puts Chinese Sinopharm on hold, to use India-manufactured vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/11/182335-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine.jpg?itok=7vhNR1Pw" />

Sri Lanka has put Chinese Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine on hold and will use India-manufactured Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate 14 million people, a government spokesperson has said.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/islamic-state-bride-shamima-begum-loses-legal-bid-to-return-to-uk-to-fight-for-citizenship-366421">Islamic State bride Shamima Begum loses legal bid to return to UK to fight for citizenship</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2021/02/26/184510-shamima-begum.JPG?itok=EWP8OBMW" />

A woman who as a teenager ran away to join the Islamic State group has lost her bid to return to the UK to fight for the restoration of her citizenship, which was revoked on national security grounds.&nbsp;

Joe Biden said the US aistrikes in Syria should be seen as a warning to Iran, adding: "You can't act with impunity". Meanwhile, the United States on Friday declassified the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Joe Biden said the US aistrikes in Syria should be seen as a warning to Iran, adding: "You can't act with impunity". Meanwhile, the United States on Friday declassified the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Click on headlines to read more 'Be prepared': Biden to Iran after US airstrike in Syria After a 'deadly' US airstrike in Syria, Iran has "strongly condemned" the actions, while US President Joe Biden has said that this was a warning for Iran. US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. More than 400 inmates flee Haiti prison; nearly 25 people dead In one of the most violent prison breakouts in the history of Haiti, more than 400 prisoners have escaped from jail, with nearly 25 people pronounced dead. India questions UN High Commissioner's silence on terror, Red Fort violence Indian govt has questioned the silence of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Red Fort violence & the issue of terrorism even as the latter continues to rake Kashmir irking Delhi. Sri Lanka puts Chinese Sinopharm on hold, to use India-manufactured vaccine Sri Lanka has put Chinese Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine on hold and will use India-manufactured Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine to inoculate 14 million people, a government spokesperson has said. Islamic State bride Shamima Begum loses legal bid to return to UK to fight for citizenship A woman who as a teenager ran away to join the Islamic State group has lost her bid to return to the UK to fight for the restoration of her citizenship, which was revoked on national security grounds.

Morning news brief: Biden warns Iran, Khashoggi murder report, and more

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.&nbsp;

The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said.&nbsp;

The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval.&nbsp;

It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad."

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-declassify-report-on-assassination-of-jamal-khashoggi-357888">Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi</a>

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces

The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force.

The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him."

Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families.&nbsp;

As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted.&nbsp;

"We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement.

<h2>Saudi Arabia rejects findings</h2>

Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince&nbsp;

"The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

 
&nbsp;

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United States on Friday unveiled the intelligence report which blamed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for approving the murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The Saudi prince "approved an operation in Istanbul, Turkey to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi," the intelligence report said. The report said it's "highly unlikely" that the murder of the journalist at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul could have taken place without Prince Mohammed's approval. It also goes on to say that the killing is in line with the pattern of "the crown prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad." Also read | Biden to declassify report on assassination of Jamal Khashoggi Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi administration who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed in October 2018 with his body cut into pieces The Treasury Department said it was freezing assets and criminalizing transactions with a former intelligence official along with that of Rapid Intervention Force. The report said the Rapid Intervention Force, an elite unit, "exists to defend the crown prince" and "answers only to him." Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the "Khashoggi Act" which will bar entry of foreigners in the United States who threaten or harass dissidents or reporters and their families. As many as 76 Saudi nationals were also blacklisted. "We have made absolutely clear that extraterritorial threats and assaults by Saudi Arabia against activists, dissidents and journalists must end. They will not be tolerated by the United States," the secretary of state said in a statement. Saudi Arabia rejects findings Calling it "negative, false and unacceptable," Saudi Arabia rejected the intelligence report on the crown prince "The government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia completely rejects the .... assessment in the report pertaining to the Kingdom's leadership, and notes that the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement as quoted by state news agency SPA.

US report says Saudi Prince approved murder of journalist Khashoggi

President Joe Biden, a Democrat who succeeded the Republican Donald Trump five weeks ago, told reporters on Wednesday he had read the report.

US intel report on Khashoggi murder

The fiancee of journalist Jamal&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-pleads-premier-league-to-block-saudi-takeover-295194">Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover</a>

The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of&nbsp;Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues.

The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS'&nbsp;has denied ordering&nbsp;Khashoggi's murder.

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Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen.

Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by&nbsp;Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US&nbsp;District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed.

The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr.&nbsp;Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights."

A lawsuit was filed in August in a US&nbsp;court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile.

Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago.

The fiancee of journalist Jamal Khashoggi sued Saudi Arabia's crown prince and other officials Tuesday in a US court, seeking damages for his brutal murder in Istanbul two years ago. Turkish citizen Hatice Cengiz and the human rights group Khashoggi formed before his death, Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), is pursuing Mohammed bin Salman and 28 others for damages over the October 2, 2018 killing of the US-based writer. Also read: Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover The civil lawsuit, which seeks unspecified damages against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also named more than 20 other Saudis as defendants. It coincides with complications in the US-Saudi relationship over the 2018 slaying of Khashoggi, Riyadh’s human rights record, its role in Yemen’s civil war, and other issues. The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the lawsuit. The crown prince, known by his initials 'MbS' has denied ordering Khashoggi's murder. Khashoggi, who criticised the policies of the crown prince, Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler, in his columns, was killed and dismembered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. He went there to obtain papers he needed to marry Hatice Cengiz, a Turkish citizen. Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), a US-based human rights group founded by Khashoggi, a legal resident of Virginia, filed the lawsuit in US District Court for the District of Columbia. It names several of the crown prince's aides and officials who were convicted in Saudi Arabia of the murder. The prosecution declared the Saudi case closed. The lawsuit charged that MbS, his co-defendants and others carried out a plot to "permanently silence Mr. Khashoggi" no later than the summer of 2018 after discovering his "plans to utilize DAWN as a platform to espouse democratic reform and promote human rights." A lawsuit was filed in August in a US court by a former top Saudi intelligence official who accused the crown prince of sending a hit team to kill him in Canada, where he lives in exile. Both lawsuits were brought under a law allowing U.S. court actions against foreign officials over allegations of involvement in torture or extrajudicial killings.

Jamal Khashoggi: Journalist's fiancee sues Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman

The death of Jamal Khashoggi took the world by storm. But even after two years, many questions remain unanswered. On this week's West Asia Post, Ghadi Francis talks about the gruesome murder of the Saudi journalist. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post: Questions linger over Khashoggi's murder

It's been two years since Jamal Khashoggi was murdered. However, questions still remain unanswered over his murder.

2 years since Jamal Khashoggi's murder: The voice that was silenced

Watch this week's West Asia Post as we talk about Lebanon's growing economic crisis with an exclusive ground report from Beirut. For more such stories, keep watching the West Asia post with Ghadi Francis every Friday at 8:30 PM, only on WION.

The West Asia Post ; Episode 1

Turkish prosecutors&nbsp;on Monday indicted&nbsp;six more Saudi&nbsp;nationals as suspects&nbsp;in connection with the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist&nbsp;Jamal&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;in Istanbul.

Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen at the Saudi consulate on October&nbsp;2, 2018, where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding.

Turkish officials believe his body was dismembered and removed from the building, while his remains have not been found.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudis-verdict-on-khashoggis-case-fell-short-of-meeting-expectations-turkey-325854">'Saudi's verdict on Khashoggi's case fell short of meeting expectations': Turkey</a>

Twenty Saudi nationals are already on trial in an Istanbul court for&nbsp;Khashoggi's killing. Local media&nbsp;said the indictment against the six suspects, including two consulate workers and four other Saudi nationals, was sent to the court to be combined with the main case.

Two of the suspects, a vice consul and an attache, were facing life jail sentences for premeditated murder with monstrous intent, the broadcaster said.

The four others had arrived in Istanbul on October&nbsp;10-11, 2018, more than a week after the killing, were charged with destroying, concealing or tampering with evidence, which carries a sentence of up to five years in jail.

The Istanbul prosecutor's office did not immediately provide comment on the media reports.

A Saudi court this month jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for the murder, four months after&nbsp;Khashoggi's family forgave his killers and enabled earlier death sentences to be set aside.

Turkish prosecutors on Monday indicted six more Saudi nationals as suspects in connection with the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen at the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018, where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding.

Turkish prosecutors on Monday indicted six more Saudi nationals as suspects in connection with the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen at the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018, where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding. Turkish officials believe his body was dismembered and removed from the building, while his remains have not been found. Also read: 'Saudi's verdict on Khashoggi's case fell short of meeting expectations': Turkey Twenty Saudi nationals are already on trial in an Istanbul court for Khashoggi's killing. Local media said the indictment against the six suspects, including two consulate workers and four other Saudi nationals, was sent to the court to be combined with the main case. Two of the suspects, a vice consul and an attache, were facing life jail sentences for premeditated murder with monstrous intent, the broadcaster said. The four others had arrived in Istanbul on October 10-11, 2018, more than a week after the killing, were charged with destroying, concealing or tampering with evidence, which carries a sentence of up to five years in jail. The Istanbul prosecutor's office did not immediately provide comment on the media reports. A Saudi court this month jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for the murder, four months after Khashoggi's family forgave his killers and enabled earlier death sentences to be set aside.

Turkey indicts six more Saudi nationals over Jamal Khashoggi murder

Turkey on Monday said that the Saudi court's ruling to overturn five death sentences in the case of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's did not meet global expectations.

Turkey on Monday said that the Saudi court's ruling to overturn five death sentences in the case of the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's did not meet global expectations. Also read: Saudi scraps death sentences over Khashoggi murder, jails eight Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was strangled, and his body cut into pieces by a 15-man Saudi squad, according to Turkish officials. His remains have not yet been found. "The final verdict that a Saudi court issued today regarding journalist Jamal Khashoggi's execution inside the Kingdom's consulate in Istanbul fell short of meeting the expectations of Turkey and the international community," Fahrettin Altun, communications director at the Turkish presidency, wrote on Twitter. Eight defendants were sentenced to jail for between seven and 20 years in a verdict that comes after Khashoggi's sons "pardoned" the killers in May, paving the way for less severe punishment. These defendants were unnamed and include two former aides of the crown prince, who deny involvement. "We still don't know what happened to Khashoggi's body, who wanted him dead or if there were local collaborators – which casts doubt on the credibility of the legal proceedings in KSA," Altun tweeted. Altun urged the Kingdom to cooperate with Turkey's investigation into the killing. "It is a legal and conscientious obligation to shed light on the Jamal Khashoggi murder, which was committed within Turkey's borders, and to deliver justice," Altun tweeted. "That is the only way to ensure that similar atrocities can be prevented in the future." (Inputs from AFP)

'Saudi's verdict on Khashoggi's case fell short of meeting expectations': Turkey

A former senior Saudi intelligence official said in a US lawsuit Thursday that the country's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tried to have him assassinated in 2018, just weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered in Turkey.

Ex-Saudi spy Saad Aljabri accuses crown prince of trying to assassinate him

An investigator for the U.N. Human Rights Council urged member states on Thursday (July 9) to pressure Saudi Arabia to free women activists before a G20 nations summit which Riyadh will be hosting in November.

UN rights investigator calls on S. Arabia to free women activists

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of &nbsp;49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggi-murder-turkey-trial-of-20-saudi-suspects-begins-in-absentia-310594">Also Read:&nbsp;Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey trial of 20 Saudi suspects begins in absentia</a>

“The first designations will cover those individuals involved in the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky, the lawyer who disclosed the biggest known tax fraud in Russian history,"&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; foreign minister Dominic Raab said, adding, "the designations will also include those responsible for the brutal murder of the writer and journalist Jamal Khashoggi."

The list also includes 25 Russian nationals and individuals from North Korea accused of human rights violations. The list is a result of post-Brexit sanctions regime called the 2018 Sanctions Act.

Khashoggi was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two year ago when he had entered the premises to collect papers he needed for his marriage. The UK list names Saud al-Qahtani who is believed to be closely involved&nbsp;in Khashoggi's killing.

"These sanctions are a forensic tool, they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected," Raab said.

Sanctions against the individuals would involve their assets would be frozen and they would be disallowed to travel to the UK.

"Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions," Raab said. 
&nbsp;

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of 49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The United Kingdom on Monday announced a list of 49 "notorious" individuals and organisations including 20 Saudi nationals allegedly responsible for the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Also Read: Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey trial of 20 Saudi suspects begins in absentia “The first designations will cover those individuals involved in the torture and murder of Sergei Magnitsky, the lawyer who disclosed the biggest known tax fraud in Russian history," foreign minister Dominic Raab said, adding, "the designations will also include those responsible for the brutal murder of the writer and journalist Jamal Khashoggi." The list also includes 25 Russian nationals and individuals from North Korea accused of human rights violations. The list is a result of post-Brexit sanctions regime called the 2018 Sanctions Act. Khashoggi was allegedly killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two year ago when he had entered the premises to collect papers he needed for his marriage. The UK list names Saud al-Qahtani who is believed to be closely involved in Khashoggi's killing. "These sanctions are a forensic tool, they allow us to target perpetrators without punishing the wider people of a country that may be affected," Raab said. Sanctions against the individuals would involve their assets would be frozen and they would be disallowed to travel to the UK. "Today this Government and this House sends a very clear message on behalf of the British people that those with blood on their hands, the thugs of despots, the henchman of dictators will not be free to waltz into this country to buy up property on the King's Road, to do their Christmas shopping in Knightsbridge or frankly to siphon dirty money through British banks or other financial institutions," Raab said.

UK imposes sanctions against Saudis, Russians for human rights violation

Twenty Saudi suspects including two former aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman went on trial in absentia in Turkey on Friday, accused of killing and dismembering journalist Jamal&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;in 2018.

Khashoggi, 59, was an insider-turned-critic who&nbsp;was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 where he had gone to obtain documents for his wedding to Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

Turkish prosecutors claim Saudi deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court's media czar Saud al-Qahtani led the operation and gave orders to a Saudi hit team.

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/forgive-those-who-killed-our-father-sons-of-killed-saudi-journalist-jamal-khashoggi-300279">'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi</a>

They were formally charged in March with&nbsp;"instigating the deliberate and monstrous killing, causing torment".

Eighteen other suspects, including intelligence operative Maher Mutreb who frequently travelled with the crown prince on foreign tours, forensic expert Salah al-Tubaigy and Fahad al-Balawi, a member of the Saudi royal guard, were charged with "deliberately and monstrously killing, causing torment".

Also read| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/jamal-khashoggis-fiancee-pleads-premier-league-to-block-saudi-takeover-295194">Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover</a>

The prosecutor has already issued arrest warrants for the suspects who are not in Turkey, so they face life terms without the likelihood of ever serving any conviction.

Cengiz, who is a complainant in the case, was attending the trial alongside the UN special rapporteur&nbsp;on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard.

Yasin Aktay, a close friend of&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;and advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, was also in the courtroom.

Erdogan has said the order to murder&nbsp;Khashoggi&nbsp;came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government but has never directly blamed Prince Mohammed.

Twenty Saudi suspects including two former aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman went on trial in absentia in Turkey on Friday, accused of killing and dismembering journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Twenty Saudi suspects including two former aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman went on trial in absentia in Turkey on Friday, accused of killing and dismembering journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Khashoggi, 59, was an insider-turned-critic who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018 where he had gone to obtain documents for his wedding to Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz. Turkish prosecutors claim Saudi deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court's media czar Saud al-Qahtani led the operation and gave orders to a Saudi hit team. Also read| 'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi They were formally charged in March with "instigating the deliberate and monstrous killing, causing torment". Eighteen other suspects, including intelligence operative Maher Mutreb who frequently travelled with the crown prince on foreign tours, forensic expert Salah al-Tubaigy and Fahad al-Balawi, a member of the Saudi royal guard, were charged with "deliberately and monstrously killing, causing torment". Also read| Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee pleads Premier League to block Saudi takeover The prosecutor has already issued arrest warrants for the suspects who are not in Turkey, so they face life terms without the likelihood of ever serving any conviction. Cengiz, who is a complainant in the case, was attending the trial alongside the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard. Yasin Aktay, a close friend of Khashoggi and advisor to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, was also in the courtroom. Erdogan has said the order to murder Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government but has never directly blamed Prince Mohammed.

Jamal Khashoggi murder: Turkey trial of 20 Saudi suspects begins in absentia

The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday that they "forgive" the killers of their father.

"We the sons of martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce we forgive and pardon those who killed our father," the Washington Post columnist's son Salah Khashoggi said on Twitter. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggis-killing-a-murder-that-shook-2018-186106">Also read: Jamal Khashoggi's killing — A murder that shook 2018</a> 
 
The legal ramifications of the announcement from Salah, who resides in Saudi Arabia, were not immediately clear.

Khashoggi -- a royal family insider turned critic -- was killed and dismembered at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in a case that triggered international outrage.

The operation involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh, Ankara said. His remains were never found.

Of 11 individuals indicted in the case, five were sentenced to death, three face jail terms totalling 24 years, and the others were acquitted, the public prosecutor said in December.

Salah has previously said he had "full confidence" in the judicial system and criticised opponents he said were seeking to exploit the case.

The Washington Post reported in April that Khashoggi's children, including Salah, had received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars per month by authorities.

But Salah rejected the report, denying discussing a financial settlement with the Saudi government.

Both the CIA and a UN special envoy have directly linked de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder, a charge the kingdom denies.

The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday that they "forgive" the killers of their father. "We the sons of martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce we forgive and pardon those who killed our father," the Washington Post columnist's son Salah Khashoggi said on Twitter.

The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday that they "forgive" the killers of their father. "We the sons of martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce we forgive and pardon those who killed our father," the Washington Post columnist's son Salah Khashoggi said on Twitter. Also read: Jamal Khashoggi's killing — A murder that shook 2018 The legal ramifications of the announcement from Salah, who resides in Saudi Arabia, were not immediately clear. Khashoggi -- a royal family insider turned critic -- was killed and dismembered at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in a case that triggered international outrage. The operation involved 15 agents sent from Riyadh, Ankara said. His remains were never found. Of 11 individuals indicted in the case, five were sentenced to death, three face jail terms totalling 24 years, and the others were acquitted, the public prosecutor said in December. Salah has previously said he had "full confidence" in the judicial system and criticised opponents he said were seeking to exploit the case. The Washington Post reported in April that Khashoggi's children, including Salah, had received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars per month by authorities. But Salah rejected the report, denying discussing a financial settlement with the Saudi government. Both the CIA and a UN special envoy have directly linked de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the murder, a charge the kingdom denies.

'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of killed Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi

'Forgive those who killed our father': Sons of Saudi journalist Khashoggi

Newcastle United and the Premier League should put moral values ahead of the financial rewards from a proposed £300 million ($372 million) Saudi-backed takeover, the fiancee of murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will reportedly take an 80 percent stake in Newcastle should the takeover be approved by the Premier League.

The mooted deal comes against the backdrop of the death of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and US resident who was killed in 2018 while at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork ahead of his wedding to Hatice Cengiz.

Turkish officials say a 15-man Saudi squad strangled Khashoggi and cut his body into pieces. His remains were never found.

Cengiz has already called for the Premier League to block the Newcastle takeover and now she has questioned the morality of top-flight chiefs and the Tyneside club.

"Moral values should prevail," Cengiz told the BBC on Sunday.

"My message would be to the management of Newcastle United and to the decision makers.

"We should consider ethical values, not just financial or political ones. Money cannot buy everything in the world. So the message that will be given to people like Crown Prince is extremely important.

"There should be no place in English football for those credibly accused of atrocities and murder."

A Saudi court in December sentenced five people to death over the killing, handing three others long jail sentences and acquitting the remaining three charged in the case.

Rights group Amnesty International condemned the outcome as a "whitewash".

The two top figures investigated over the killing -- both part of the crown prince's inner circle -- were exonerated.

Both the CIA and a United Nations special envoy have directly linked the crown prince to the killing, a charge the kingdom vehemently denies.

"We don't want this deal to go ahead. We are not just talking about the murder of a human being but the efforts to keep all hopes regarding the future, to keep human rights alive, to support justice and to start a transformation in the Middle East," Cengiz said.

"This deal seems to be about buying something. But there is a wider picture. Saudi Arabia shows the world its face of reform.&nbsp;

"But it has another face where the reality is far from what is shown to the world. This is why we want this (deal) to be stopped and not be completed."

The Premier League must determine whether the bid fulfils its owners and directors' test.

Oliver Dowden, the UK culture secretary, told a meeting of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee last week it was a "matter for the Premier League" rather than government.

Newcastle United and the Premier League should put moral values ahead of the financial rewards from a proposed £300 million ($372 million) Saudi-backed takeover, the fiancee of murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Sunday.

Newcastle United and the Premier League should put moral values ahead of the financial rewards from a proposed £300 million ($372 million) Saudi-backed takeover, the fiancee of murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi said on Sunday. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, led by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, will reportedly take an 80 percent stake in Newcastle should the takeover be approved by the Premier League. The mooted deal comes against the backdrop of the death of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and US resident who was killed in 2018 while at Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul to obtain paperwork ahead of his wedding to Hatice Cengiz. Turkish officials say a 15-man Saudi squad strangled Khashoggi and cut his body into pieces. His remains were never found. Cengiz has already called for the Premier League to block the Newcastle takeover and now she has questioned the morality of top-flight chiefs and the Tyneside club. "Moral values should prevail," Cengiz told the BBC on Sunday. "My message would be to the management of Newcastle United and to the decision makers. "We should consider ethical values, not just financial or political ones. Money cannot buy everything in the world. So the message that will be given to people like Crown Prince is extremely important. "There should be no place in English football for those credibly accused of atrocities and murder." A Saudi court in December sentenced five people to death over the killing, handing three others long jail sentences and acquitting the remaining three charged in the case. Rights group Amnesty International condemned the outcome as a "whitewash". The two top figures investigated over the killing -- both part of the crown prince's inner circle -- were exonerated. Both the CIA and a United Nations special envoy have directly linked the crown prince to the killing, a charge the kingdom vehemently denies. "We don't want this deal to go ahead. We are not just talking about the murder of a human being but the efforts to keep all hopes regarding the future, to keep human rights alive, to support justice and to start a transformation in the Middle East," Cengiz said. "This deal seems to be about buying something. But there is a wider picture. Saudi Arabia shows the world its face of reform. "But it has another face where the reality is far from what is shown to the world. This is why we want this (deal) to be stopped and not be completed." The Premier League must determine whether the bid fulfils its owners and directors' test. Oliver Dowden, the UK culture secretary, told a meeting of the Commons Digital, Culture, Media and Sport committee last week it was a "matter for the Premier League" rather than government.

Khashoggi's fiancee insists moral values must come first in Newcastle takeover

Turkey has charged 20 suspects including two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Prosecutors accuse Saudi Arabia's deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court's media czar Saud al-Qahtani of leading the operation and giving orders to a Saudi hit team.

Khashoggi, 59, a commentator who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018, to obtain paperwork for his wedding to Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

Turkey carried out its own investigation into the murder after being unhappy with Saudi explanations.

The Istanbul prosecutor's office said in a statement that Assiri and Qahtani were charged with "instigating the deliberate and monstrous killing, causing torment".

Eighteen other suspects -- including intelligence operative Maher Mutreb who frequently travelled with the crown prince on foreign tours, forensic expert Salah al-Tubaigy and Fahad al-Balawi, a member of the Saudi royal guard -- were also charged with "deliberately and monstrously killing, causing torment".

They face life in jail if convicted.

Mutreb, Tubaigy and Balawi had been among 11 on trial in Riyadh, during which sources said many of those accused defended themselves by saying they were carrying out Assiri's orders, describing him as the operation's "ringleader".

The Turkish prosecutor said a trial in absentia would be opened against the 20 suspects but did not give a date.

The prosecutor had already issued arrest warrants for the suspects, who are not in Turkey.

Khashoggi, a Saudi insider-turned-critic, was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a 15-man Saudi squad inside the consulate, according to Turkish officials.

His remains have never been found.

The CIA, UN special envoy Agnes Callamard and Turkey have directly linked Crown Prince Mohammed to the killing, a charge the kingdom vehemently denies.

Turkey has charged 20 suspects including two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi, prosecutors said on Wednesday.

Turkey has charged 20 suspects including two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman over the 2018 murder of Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi, prosecutors said on Wednesday. Prosecutors accuse Saudi Arabia's deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri and the royal court's media czar Saud al-Qahtani of leading the operation and giving orders to a Saudi hit team. Khashoggi, 59, a commentator who wrote for The Washington Post, was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018, to obtain paperwork for his wedding to Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz. Turkey carried out its own investigation into the murder after being unhappy with Saudi explanations. The Istanbul prosecutor's office said in a statement that Assiri and Qahtani were charged with "instigating the deliberate and monstrous killing, causing torment". Eighteen other suspects -- including intelligence operative Maher Mutreb who frequently travelled with the crown prince on foreign tours, forensic expert Salah al-Tubaigy and Fahad al-Balawi, a member of the Saudi royal guard -- were also charged with "deliberately and monstrously killing, causing torment". They face life in jail if convicted. Mutreb, Tubaigy and Balawi had been among 11 on trial in Riyadh, during which sources said many of those accused defended themselves by saying they were carrying out Assiri's orders, describing him as the operation's "ringleader". The Turkish prosecutor said a trial in absentia would be opened against the 20 suspects but did not give a date. The prosecutor had already issued arrest warrants for the suspects, who are not in Turkey. Khashoggi, a Saudi insider-turned-critic, was strangled and his body cut into pieces by a 15-man Saudi squad inside the consulate, according to Turkish officials. His remains have never been found. The CIA, UN special envoy Agnes Callamard and Turkey have directly linked Crown Prince Mohammed to the killing, a charge the kingdom vehemently denies.

Turkey charges 20 Saudis over Khashoggi murder

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden said on Friday that he will step in to force U.S. intelligence chief to release information about the assassination of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi If the administration does not produce a report on the assassination before the end of President Donald Trump's impeachment trial.

U.S. Senator Pushes To Publish Report In Jamal Khashoggi's Murder Case

Twitter is being flooded by pro-Saudi posts in defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been accused of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mohammed-bin-salman-caught-spying-jeff-bezos-accused-saudi-prince-of-hacking-his-phone-275857">hacking Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' iPhone</a>.

Hundreds and thousands of tweets have been shared by Saudi government officials and pro-Saudi media organisations in retaliation to the accusation on the Crown Prince.&nbsp;

Riyadh dismissed the accusations on Tuesday and called them <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/describing-as-absurd-saudi-arabia-rejects-hacking-jeff-bezos-phone-reports-275917">absurd</a>.&nbsp;

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Recent media reports that suggest the Kingdom is behind a hacking of Mr. Jeff Bezos' phone are absurd. We call for an investigation on these claims so that we can have all the facts out.
— Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/SaudiEmbassyUSA/status/1219792870389035008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 22, 2020</a></blockquote>
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"I think 'absurd' is exactly the right word," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told Reuters in an interview in Davos. "The idea that the crown prince would hack Jeff Bezos’ phone is absolutely silly," he added

Since Thursday, the microblogging website has gone abuzz with #BoycottAmazonproducts - a hashtag believed to have started by a pro-government account with over 50,000 followers.&nbsp;

Also read: '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jeff-all-of-what-you-hear-or-told-its-not-true-saudi-crown-princes-text-to-bezos-276150">Jeff all of what you hear or told... it's not true': Saudi Crown Prince Salman's text to Bezos</a>

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On Thursday, disinformation analyst Ben Nimmo said that over 8,000 pro-Saudi tweets called for action to boycott Amazon products - a number that is only expected to have grown manifold by Friday.&nbsp;

"Indeed, here it goes: call from fans of MBS to boycott Amazon products. 8.5k tweets since the morning in Arabic, a handful in English," Nimmo tweeted out yesterday.&nbsp;

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Indeed, here it goes: call from fans of MBS to boycott Amazon products. 
 
8.5k tweets since the morning in Arabic, a handful in English. <a href="https://t.co/704haHu82I">https://t.co/704haHu82I</a>
— Ben Nimmo (@benimmo) <a href="https://twitter.com/benimmo/status/1220286211992039429?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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UN experts have called for an immediate investigation into the allegations on Saudi crown prince being involved in a plot to hack the phone of Amazon boss and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos.

On Wednesday, UN special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and David Kaye said they had information pointing to the "possible involvement" of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the alleged 2018 cyberattack, which preceded alleged threats by the National Enquirer to publish intimate photographs of the billionaire tech tycoon.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/%D9%82%D8%A7%D8%B7%D8%B9%D9%88%D8%A7_%D9%85%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%AC%D8%A7%D8%AA_%D8%A7%D9%85%D8%A7%D8%B2%D9%88%D9%86?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#قاطعوا_منتجات_امازون</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BoycottAmazonproducts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BoycottAmazonproducts</a> 
Done ✅ 🇸🇦 <a href="https://t.co/5FjiCs3a3C">pic.twitter.com/5FjiCs3a3C</a>
— رغـــد .. 🕊 (@Raghod501) <a href="https://twitter.com/Raghod501/status/1220266727499583488?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 23, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Callamard, the special rapporteur for extra-judicial killings, and Kaye, special rapporteur for free expression, said in a statement that they believed the hack was carried out "in an effort to influence, if not silence, The Washington Post’s reporting on Saudi Arabia" and called for an "immediate investigation by US and other relevant authorities," news agency Reuters reported.&nbsp;

As per reports, the call for an investigation is based on a 17-page forensic report drawn up by Washington-based FTI Consulting, reportedly commissioned by the Amazon chief.&nbsp;

The report suggests that Bezos's iPhone X was hijacked by a malicious video file which was sent to him on May 1, 2018, from a WhatsApp account used by the crown prince.&nbsp;

The hacking is said to have taken place before Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's cold-blooded killing in October 2018. Khashoggi was a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince.

(With inputs from Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

Twitter is being flooded by pro-Saudi posts in defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been accused of hacking Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' iPhone.

Twitter is being flooded by pro-Saudi posts in defence of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has been accused of hacking Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos' iPhone. Hundreds and thousands of tweets have been shared by Saudi government officials and pro-Saudi media organisations in retaliation to the accusation on the Crown Prince. Riyadh dismissed the accusations on Tuesday and called them absurd. Recent media reports that suggest the Kingdom is behind a hacking of Mr. Jeff Bezos' phone are absurd. We call for an investigation on these claims so that we can have all the facts out. — Saudi Embassy (@SaudiEmbassyUSA) January 22, 2020 × "I think 'absurd' is exactly the right word," Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud told Reuters in an interview in Davos. "The idea that the crown prince would hack Jeff Bezos’ phone is absolutely silly," he added Since Thursday, the microblogging website has gone abuzz with #BoycottAmazonproducts - a hashtag believed to have started by a pro-government account with over 50,000 followers. Also read: 'Jeff all of what you hear or told... it's not true': Saudi Crown Prince Salman's text to Bezos × On Thursday, disinformation analyst Ben Nimmo said that over 8,000 pro-Saudi tweets called for action to boycott Amazon products - a number that is only expected to have grown manifold by Friday. "Indeed, here it goes: call from fans of MBS to boycott Amazon products. 8.5k tweets since the morning in Arabic, a handful in English," Nimmo tweeted out yesterday. Indeed, here it goes: call from fans of MBS to boycott Amazon products. 8.5k tweets since the morning in Arabic, a handful in English. https://t.co/704haHu82I — Ben Nimmo (@benimmo) January 23, 2020 × UN experts have called for an immediate investigation into the allegations on Saudi crown prince being involved in a plot to hack the phone of Amazon boss and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos. On Wednesday, UN special rapporteurs Agnes Callamard and David Kaye said they had information pointing to the "possible involvement" of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the alleged 2018 cyberattack, which preceded alleged threats by the National Enquirer to publish intimate photographs of the billionaire tech tycoon. #قاطعوا_منتجات_امازون #BoycottAmazonproducts Done ✅ 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/5FjiCs3a3C — رغـــد .. 🕊 (@Raghod501) January 23, 2020 × Callamard, the special rapporteur for extra-judicial killings, and Kaye, special rapporteur for free expression, said in a statement that they believed the hack was carried out "in an effort to influence, if not silence, The Washington Post’s reporting on Saudi Arabia" and called for an "immediate investigation by US and other relevant authorities," news agency Reuters reported. As per reports, the call for an investigation is based on a 17-page forensic report drawn up by Washington-based FTI Consulting, reportedly commissioned by the Amazon chief. The report suggests that Bezos's iPhone X was hijacked by a malicious video file which was sent to him on May 1, 2018, from a WhatsApp account used by the crown prince. The hacking is said to have taken place before Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's cold-blooded killing in October 2018. Khashoggi was a Washington Post columnist and critic of the crown prince. (With inputs from Reuters)

Angry Saudis tweet to boycott Amazon over Crown Prince's alleged involvement in hacking Bezos' phone

Saudi Arabia has denied that its crown prince was responsible for hacking Amazon boss Jeff Bezos' phone.

Jeff Bezos hack: Saudi Arabia calls claim ‘absurd’

Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death for last year’s murder of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi and freed two prominent suspects close to the kingdom’s crown prince.

Saudi Arabia Sentences Five to Death Over Khashoggi Killing

Restaurants in Saudi Arabia will no longer need to maintain entrances segregated by sex, the authorities said on Sunday, further eroding some of the world's strictest social rules as sweeping reforms take hold.

Previously, Saudi Arabia required all restaurants to have one entrance for families and women, and another for men on their own. The ministry of municipalities and rural affairs announced on Twitter this would no longer be mandatory.

Unrelated men and women have for decades been barred from mixing in public places under strict social rules once enforced by hardline clerics and the religious police.

But Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has brought the religious establishment to heel -- partly by arresting critics -- and eased other restrictions, including bans on women driving and public entertainment.

Segregation has quietly eased over the past year or so, as eateries, cafes, conference centres and concert halls stopped strictly enforcing it.

A spokesman for the ministry contacted by Reuters did not specify whether segregated seating areas inside restaurants would also be eliminated. The new rules are not compulsory, meaning restaurants could still maintain separate entrances if owners choose to do so, he said.

There was no announcement of changes to other public establishments, such as schools and hospitals, which appear likely to remain segregated for now.

Saudi Arabia, one of the world's most gender-segregated nations, has also been chipping away at a guardianship system which requires all women have a male relative's approval for important decisions, though some key restrictions remain.

Social openness has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent that has seen the arrests of dozens of clerics, intellectuals and activists, including women who had campaigned for some of the freedoms that have lately been granted.

It has also raised concerns about a possible backlash by conservatives, though there has so far been little concrete pushback.

The crown prince, 34, is the heir to the Saudi throne and de facto ruler. If and when he replaces his father, King Salman, he would be the first Saudi monarch from a new generation after a succession of six brothers that have ruled since 1953.

Prince Mohammed's reputation in the West as a bold reformer suffered after the murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed by Saudi agents last year inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.

Restaurants in Saudi Arabia will no longer need to maintain entrances segregated by sex, the authorities said on Sunday, further eroding some of the world's strictest social rules as sweeping reforms take hold.

Restaurants in Saudi Arabia will no longer need to maintain entrances segregated by sex, the authorities said on Sunday, further eroding some of the world's strictest social rules as sweeping reforms take hold. Previously, Saudi Arabia required all restaurants to have one entrance for families and women, and another for men on their own. The ministry of municipalities and rural affairs announced on Twitter this would no longer be mandatory. Unrelated men and women have for decades been barred from mixing in public places under strict social rules once enforced by hardline clerics and the religious police. But Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has brought the religious establishment to heel -- partly by arresting critics -- and eased other restrictions, including bans on women driving and public entertainment. Segregation has quietly eased over the past year or so, as eateries, cafes, conference centres and concert halls stopped strictly enforcing it. A spokesman for the ministry contacted by Reuters did not specify whether segregated seating areas inside restaurants would also be eliminated. The new rules are not compulsory, meaning restaurants could still maintain separate entrances if owners choose to do so, he said. There was no announcement of changes to other public establishments, such as schools and hospitals, which appear likely to remain segregated for now. Saudi Arabia, one of the world's most gender-segregated nations, has also been chipping away at a guardianship system which requires all women have a male relative's approval for important decisions, though some key restrictions remain. Social openness has been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent that has seen the arrests of dozens of clerics, intellectuals and activists, including women who had campaigned for some of the freedoms that have lately been granted. It has also raised concerns about a possible backlash by conservatives, though there has so far been little concrete pushback. The crown prince, 34, is the heir to the Saudi throne and de facto ruler. If and when he replaces his father, King Salman, he would be the first Saudi monarch from a new generation after a succession of six brothers that have ruled since 1953. Prince Mohammed's reputation in the West as a bold reformer suffered after the murder of US-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was killed by Saudi agents last year inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate.

Saudi Arabia ends gender-segregated entrances for restaurants

Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation Sunday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record.

The oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women, but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and the murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leaders for a global summit in its capital next November 21-22.

"The kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 Presidency today, leading up to the summit in Riyadh" in 2020, the official Saudi Press Agency said.

"The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing the work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus."

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, hailed it as a "unique opportunity" to shape international consensus, SPA added.

Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in the run-up to the summit, including ministerial meetings, the agency said.

"When Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 presidency, it will become the first (Arab) nation to lead this intergovernmental body," Dennis Snower, president of the think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement.

"This presidency... will be challenged by a central paradox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies… but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at the multilateral level."

Rights groups have urged G20 member states to exert pressure on the kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent, which has seen several women activists, journalists and political dissidents jailed.

Campaigners reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia had detained at least nine academics, writers and activists, the latest in a series of crackdowns on intellectuals over the past two years.

Activists say that some were subsequently released, but the detention of liberals -- in the midst of the much-hyped liberalisation drive -- underscores what observers call increasing repression and authoritarianism.

"Saudi Arabia steps up to the G20 presidency amid a new wave of arbitrary arrests of peaceful critics, with many human rights defenders still languishing behind bars, and just over a year since the horrifying killing of Jamal Khashoggi," Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement.

"World leaders in the G20 must pressure Prince Mohammed to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights including freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly."

Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation Sunday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record.

Saudi Arabia became the first Arab nation Sunday to take over the G20 presidency as it seeks to bounce back onto the world stage following global uproar over its human rights record. The oil-rich kingdom has promoted a liberalisation drive, including granting greater rights to women, but faced strong criticism over a crackdown on dissent and the murder last year of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The G20 presidency, which Saudi Arabia takes over from Japan, will see it host world leaders for a global summit in its capital next November 21-22. "The kingdom of Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 Presidency today, leading up to the summit in Riyadh" in 2020, the official Saudi Press Agency said. "The Saudi G20 presidency is committed to continuing the work from Osaka and promoting multilateral consensus." Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, hailed it as a "unique opportunity" to shape international consensus, SPA added. Saudi Arabia will host more than 100 events and conferences in the run-up to the summit, including ministerial meetings, the agency said. "When Saudi Arabia assumes the G20 presidency, it will become the first (Arab) nation to lead this intergovernmental body," Dennis Snower, president of the think-tank Global Solutions Initiative, said in a statement. "This presidency... will be challenged by a central paradox: global risks like climate change, demographic developments, such as low birth rates, rising life expectancy and aging societies… but rising populism and nationalism are preventing progress at the multilateral level." Rights groups have urged G20 member states to exert pressure on the kingdom over its intensifying crackdown on dissent, which has seen several women activists, journalists and political dissidents jailed. Campaigners reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia had detained at least nine academics, writers and activists, the latest in a series of crackdowns on intellectuals over the past two years. Activists say that some were subsequently released, but the detention of liberals -- in the midst of the much-hyped liberalisation drive -- underscores what observers call increasing repression and authoritarianism. "Saudi Arabia steps up to the G20 presidency amid a new wave of arbitrary arrests of peaceful critics, with many human rights defenders still languishing behind bars, and just over a year since the horrifying killing of Jamal Khashoggi," Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a statement. "World leaders in the G20 must pressure Prince Mohammed to ensure the enjoyment of all human rights including freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly."

Saudi Arabia takes over G20 presidency from Japan

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