As PM, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has immunity in Jamal Khashoggi lawsuit, his lawyers say
- The royal, who is facing a US lawsuit over the journalist’s killing in 2018, was appointed prime minister by his father, the king, last week
- Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents in an operation which US intelligence believed was ordered by Prince Mohammed
Lawyers for Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, facing a US lawsuit over the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, told a court on Monday the crown prince’s appointment as prime minister last week ensured him immunity from prosecution.
Khashoggi was killed and dismembered by Saudi agents in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in an operation which US intelligence believed was ordered by Prince Mohammed, who has been the kingdom’s de facto ruler for several years.
The prince denied ordering Khashoggi’s killing, but acknowledged later it took place “under my watch”.
Last week his elderly father King Salman named him prime minister in a royal decree which a Saudi official said was in line with responsibilities the crown prince was already exercising.
“The royal order leaves no doubt that the crown prince is entitled to status-based immunity,” lawyers for the prince said in a petition requesting a federal district court in Washington dismiss the case, citing other cases where the United States has recognised immunity for a foreign head of state.
US President Joe Biden, who fist-bumped the crown prince on a visit to Saudi Arabia in July to discuss energy and security issues, had told Prince Mohammed that he considered him responsible for Khashoggi’s killing.
