Following investigations in death of one of the most influential Arab journalists in the world, Jamal Khashoggi court on Monday sentenced five people to death penalty and three others to jail terms totaling to 24 years.
Khashoggi, who was a critic of Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia was killed in October 2018 and 11 people were bought to questioning in connection to his death.
His death raised suspicions leading CIA and other Western governments believing the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman had a hand in his death.
According to UN report, the investigations in the death of the Arab journalist pointed out to the involvement of Saudi officials despite their denial in any attachment to the crime.
The U.N. special rapporteur for extrajudicial summary, Agnes Callamard said masterminds behind this brutal murder have walked free and this can be simply described as “mockery” of justice.
Saudi prosecutor also said that Saud al-Qahtani, a former high-profile Saudi royal adviser discussed Khashoggi’s activities with the team which went on to kill him days prior to his death.
The royal adviser acted in coordination with deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Asiri and both were dismissed from their positions after the revelation but Qahtani was never tried.
Human rights group Amnesty International has also criticized the trial labeling it as “whitewash” due to its failure to address the involvement of Saudi authorities and location of Khashoggi’s remains.
