Impact on Saudi-US Relations | UN Rapporteur – ‘Saudi Sentences in Khashoggi Case Lack Legitimacy’
The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial Executions has said that the sentences imposed by the Saudi Arabian authorities following the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi lack legitimacy.
“These verdicts carry no legal or moral legitimacy,” tweeted Agnes Callamard. “They came at the end of a process that was neither fair, nor just or transparent.”
Moreover, she pointed out that, “Murderous mercenaries were sentenced for five to 20 years, while the high-level officials who organised and embraced the execution remained free, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman’s responsibility is still untouched.”
The UN official said that the sentences should not reduce international pressure to bring the truth to light in the case. “Parliaments and UN members, who watched the court process mutely, need to do their best to bring justice,” she insisted.
On the UN Rapporteur’s call not to reduce pressure, Survivability News geo-political and legal analyst said: “The scathing attack by the UN rapporteur on the Saudi trial, its justice system, and the role crown prince Mohamad Bin Salman (MBZ) played in the gruesome murder of Khashoggi were unambiguous and must be noted.”
Callamard also stated that it is more important than ever for America’s Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to disclose its findings about the Crown Prince’s responsibility in Khashoggi’s murder.
The analyst added: “This should cause impact, but it will little or no impact on US Saudi relations. The parties have much bigger fish to fry and huge common interest at stake that bind them and Israel together. Assuring the success of the infamous “Deal of the Century” is key for both. The ‘deal’ has been denounced by many parties in the Middle East and around the world, particularly the Palestinian Authority (PA) and people. The road map to success also needs a domino effect of Gulf Arab states to follow in the UAE’s footstep in normalizing relations with Israel. This also is hanging in the balance”
READ: US group seeks to reveal intelligence findings about Khashoggi murder
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