The Paris-based media advocacy group said in a statement that they had lodged the complaint with a federal court in Karlsruhe, Germany, on Monday and called on prosecutors to open a formal investigation. The court confirmed to CNN Business that they had received the complaint.
According to Reporters Without Borders, the complaint accuses the crown prince and four other Saudi officials of having “organizational or operational responsibility” for the killing of Khashoggi, as well as being involved in “policy development state to attack journalists and silence. “
Saudi officials did not immediately respond to CNN”s requests to comment on Reporters’ complaint without Borders.
Saudi Arabia denied the allegations. The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement after the publication of the report saying that the country “completely rejects the negative, false and inappropriate assessment in the report pertaining to the leadership of the Kingdom, and notes the report contained inaccurate information and conclusions. ”
The crown prince has denied ordering Khashoggi’s murder but is said to be in charge.
“This was a terrible crime,” he said in an interview with CBS in 2019. “But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals who working for the Saudi government. “
Khashoggi’s assassination and the attacks “reveal a system that threatens the life and freedom of any journalist in Saudi Arabia – especially those who speak out publicly against the Saudi government,” he said. Reporters without Borders in a statement. Saudi Arabia ranks 170th out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index.
“Those responsible for the persecution of journalists in Saudi Arabia, including the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, must be held accountable for their crimes,” the general secretary of Reporters Without Borders said. , Christophe Deloire. “As these serious crimes against journalists continue to decline, we urge the German prosecutor to take a stand and open an investigation into the crimes that are being committed. we have appeared. “
Reporters said without limitation that German judges are the “most appropriate system” for receiving his complaint as its courts have stood to investigate some international crimes and have “already shown willingness.” and willing to prosecute international criminals. “
In June 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on the execution, summary, or irregularity, Agnes Callamard, found it “incredible” that the Saudi royal heir was unaware of the work. In September 2020, a Saudi court sentenced eight suspects to prison, a sentence called “parody of justice.”
Last week, Callamard called on the United States to reiterate its conclusions on “Khashoggi’s brutal execution,” and said that since its remains have not yet been found, the international crime of rape violation continues.
“His loved ones are still suffering more suffering until Saudi Arabia reveals what has been done with what is left of it,” she said.
– Will Godley, Sarah El Sirgany and Robertson reported.