Five people were sentenced to death over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, Saudi public prosecution said on Monday.
• “The court issued death sentences on five men who directly took part in the killing,” the prosecutor said in a statement.
• Up to 31 individuals were included in the investigation, 21 of whom have been arrested, and 10 were called in for questioning without arrest as there was on basis for their detention.
• Criminal cases were filed against the individuals in the Criminal Court of Riyadh.
• The Saudi consul-general in Istanbul Mohammed Al-Otaibi’s presence elsewhere at the time of Khashoggi's killing was confirmed by the court.
• The court held nine sessions in the Khashoggi case and verdict was issued in the tenth session.
• Representatives from the Khashoggi family and from the Turkish embassy were present during the promulgation of verdicts.
• Three other people have been sentenced varying prison terms for covering up on the crime and violations of law for a total of 24 years in jail.
• The general prosecutor rejected a request for a discretionary punishment (tazir) for three of those convicted.
• Royal court advisor Saud Qahtani has been interrogated, but was not charged and was released.
• Investigations show there was no prior intention to kill Khashoggi
• Former Deputy Intelligence Chief Ahmed Al-Asiri was released for insufficient evidence.
SOURCE : ARABNEWS
