Saudi Prince ordered Khashoggi’s killing: CIA

Washington, November 16

The CIA believes Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, sources familiar with the matter have said, complicating President Donald Trump’s efforts to preserve ties with a key US ally.

The sources said the CIA had briefed other parts of  the US government, including Congress, on its assessment, which contradicts Saudi government assertions that Prince Mohammed was not involved.

The CIA’s finding, first reported by the Washington Post, is the most definitive US assessment to date tying Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler directly to the killing.

The Washington Post, citing people familiar with the matter, said the CIA’s assessment was based in part on a phone call the Crown Prince’s brother, Prince Khaled bin Salman, the Saudi Ambassador to the US, had with Khashoggi.

Prince Khaled told Khashoggi he should go to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve the documents and gave him assurances that it would be safe to do so, the Post said. “I never talked to him by phone and certainly never suggested he go to Turkey for any reason. I ask the US government to release any information regarding this claim," Prince Khaled said.

President Donald Trump said he had not yet been briefed on the CIA’s conclusions regarding the murder of Khashoggi, but that he would speak with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and the CIA about the issue. — Reuters

Claim based on call

 The Washington Post, citing people familiar with the matter, said the CIA’s assessment was based in part on a phone call the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s brother, Prince Khaled bin Salman, the Saudi Ambassador to the US, had with Khashoggi.