The U.S. intelligence report on the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Ahmad Khushkji said tonight (Friday) that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman had confirmed and apparently ordered the 2018 abduction and assassination in Istanbul.
Hashukaji, a U.S. resident who wrote opinion pieces for the Washington Post and criticized the Crown Prince’s policy, was killed and dismembered by a team of activists linked to the Crown Prince at the Kingdom Consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh denied any involvement.
“We estimate that Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman has approved the operation in Istanbul to capture or kill Saudi journalist Jamal Khushkji,” it was reported. They added: “We base this assessment on the Crown Prince’s control of the kingdom’s decisions, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s defensive individual, and the Crown Prince’s support for the use of violent measures to silence opponents abroad, including Hashukaji.”
Earlier tonight it was reported that after suspending arms deals with Saudi Arabia worth over half a billion dollars, the Biden administration may change US policy on future deals and restrict military sales of offensive weapons. The decision currently applies to past deals that raise human rights violations Following the casualties in Yemen and with the intention of putting an end to the violence.
In revoking the report’s classification, U.S. President Joe Biden revoked his predecessor Donald Trump’s refusal to release him illegally from 2019, reflecting a new U.S. willingness to challenge the kingdom on human rights and war issues in Yemen.
However, Biden is on a fine line to maintain ties with the kingdom as it seeks to revive the 2015 nuclear deal with its regional rival Iran and address other challenges including fighting Islamist extremism and promoting Arab-Israeli ties.