A lawsuit brought by the fiancée of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was dismissed by a U.S. federal judge in Washington. The judge, John Bates, cited President Biden’s decision to grant immunity to the prince, leading to the dismissal despite concerns over Prince Mohammed’s alleged connection to Khashoggi’s killing.
The ruling highlighted the recent appointment of Prince Mohammed as prime minister by Saudi King Salman, underscoring the complexities surrounding the case. Khashoggi was brutally murdered by Saudi agents in the Istanbul consulate in 2018, with U.S. intelligence pointing to Prince Mohammed’s involvement, although he denies ordering the killing.
The Biden administration’s stance on granting head of state immunity to Prince Mohammed, as a foreign government leader, was a key factor in the judge’s decision. This immunity shielded the prince from U.S. court jurisdiction, a move that left Khashoggi’s fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, deeply disappointed, remarking that “Jamal died again today.”
President Biden faced criticism for his interaction with Prince Mohammed during a visit to Saudi Arabia, where they discussed energy and security matters. Despite Biden expressing his view that the prince bore responsibility for Khashoggi’s death, the encounter drew scrutiny. Khashoggi, known for his critical writings on the crown prince’s policies, tragically lost his life while seeking marriage documents at the consulate, leaving behind a legacy of journalistic courage and advocacy.