Saudi King King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud heaped praise on the kingdom’s judiciary on Monday, in his first public remarks since Jamal Khashoggi’s murder tipped the country into one of its worst international crises.
The public prosecutor last week exonerated Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of involvement in the murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, but the CIA reportedly concluded that he ordered the assassination.
The prosecutor called for the death penalty against five men as he announced indictments against 11 people and said a total of 21 individuals were in custody in connection with the killing.
“The kingdom was founded on Islamic principles of justice and equality, and we are proud of the efforts of the judiciary and the public prosecution and the performance of the job entrusted to them,” the King said in his annual address to the Shura Council, a top advisory body. King Salman did not directly address Khashoggi’s murder in his speech.
Criticises Iran
The King also urged the international community to halt Iran’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, and reiterated the kingdom’s support for UN efforts to end the war in Yemen.
“The Iranian regime has always intervened in the internal affairs of other countries, sponsored terrorism, created chaos and devastation in many countries in the region,” he said.
He also signalled that Prince Mohammed remains empowered to pursue ambitious economic reforms, praising the “comprehensive developmental transformation” under way. He directed his son, sitting in the hall, “to focus on... preparing the new generation for future jobs”.
The U.S. has sanctioned 17 Saudis for the killing of Khashoggi, including close aides of Prince Mohammed, and is set to make final conclusions this week.
In a sign of further international pressure, Germany on Monday said it will bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe’s Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder.
German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said the move was “coordinated very closely with” states France and Britain and the broader EU.
