Federal judge United States of America (USA) dismisses lawsuit against Crown Prince Saudi Arabian Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) regarding its alleged role in the assassination of journalists Jamal Khashoggi last year 2018.
As reported AFP extensionOn Wednesday (7/12/2022), Washington federal judge John Bates in a ruling on Tuesday (6/12) local time accepted the US government’s position that MBS, who was appointed Saudi prime minister (PM ) last September, he has immunity from judging the United States as the head of a foreign state.
Bates in her ruling said the civil lawsuit filed by Khashoggi’s ex-boyfriend Hatice Cengiz and activist group DAWN provided “strong” and “reasonable” arguments that MBS was behind Khashoggi’s murder.
But Bates also ruled that he did not have the authority to reverse the US government’s official position, made in a formal filing in federal court on Nov. 17 that confirmed the Saudi crown prince enjoyed immunity as a foreign leader.
Even though MBS was named prime minister a few weeks ago, Bates said, the executive branch of the US government “remains in charge of foreign affairs, including with Saudi Arabia.”
“Conflicting decisions regarding bin Salman’s immunity by this court will undermine that accountability,” Bates said in his ruling.
Bates further said that the “credible” murder allegations, the moment MBS was named prime minister, and the moment the US government handed over the posts, had made him “uncomfortable.” But he said he had no other choice in the case.
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