A French investigating judge is set to scrutinize allegations against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman concerning the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, following a complaint lodged by two human rights organizations. France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office, the PNAT, confirmed on Saturday that the case will be assigned to an investigating judge from the crimes against humanity unit. This development comes after a May 11 ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal.
Background of the Complaint
The complaint was submitted by Trial International and Reporters Without Borders, both of which accuse the Saudi crown prince of complicity in torture and enforced disappearance related to Khashoggi’s death. Khashoggi, a Saudi dissident and columnist for The Washington Post, was brutally murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. His body was dismembered and has never been recovered.
Legal Basis for the Inquiry
The PNAT stated that the Paris Court of Appeal deemed the complaint admissible, as the possibility that the case could be classified as a crime against humanity—potentially encompassing torture and enforced disappearance—could not be dismissed at this preliminary stage. The prosecutor’s office acknowledged the court’s decision but noted that it did not invalidate its own interpretation of French criminal procedure rules regarding the groups’ eligibility to file the complaint as civil parties.
Political Implications
The original complaint was filed in 2022 during Prince Mohammed’s visit to France. Following Khashoggi’s killing, the crown prince faced international condemnation but has since reengaged with Western leaders. It is important to note that the opening of a French judicial inquiry does not imply that Prince Mohammed has been charged or found guilty; rather, it means an investigating judge will assess whether the complaint warrants further legal proceedings.
Denials and Previous Findings
Prince Mohammed has denied ordering the killing but acknowledged that it occurred under his watch as Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler. U.S. intelligence agencies have previously concluded that he approved the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. Saudi Arabia conducted a closed-door trial over the incident and claimed to have punished those responsible, but rights groups have criticized the process as opaque and inadequate.
