UN report confirms the involvement of Saudi officials in the killing of Khashoggi

A UN commissioner has confirmed that she has "evidence" that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was "planned and executed" by representatives of the Saudi state. The audio recording of the crime was also described as "horrific." But she explained that she could not independently verify his health.

In a statement, Agnes Kalamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial killings, said in a statement that Saudi Arabia had undermined the investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at his consulate in Istanbul. Kalamard described his murder as a "deliberate crime" that constitutes "the most serious violation of the right to life, the fundamental right of all."

She added that the evidence she collected "shows that Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal and deliberate murder, planned and carried out by representatives of the Saudi state." Kalamard said Khashoggi's death "violates international law and basic rules of international relations," noting that "immunity guarantees were never intended to allow the commission of a crime and the impunity of those responsible for prosecution."

Khashoggi's body, which had written articles in The Washington Post, was not found, although more than four months after his death. His death has deeply embarrassed Saudi Arabia and led to discrediting its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who was blamed for the crime by the CIA.

During her mission, Kalamard met with the Turkish Attorney General, the Chief of Intelligence and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Justice. The statement did not say whether it had been able to visit the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. However, her team was able to obtain "critical information" about the journalist's death, especially excerpts from a "terrifying" sound recording by Turkish intelligence, but indicated that her team was unable to "study the recording in depth." Nor was it independently verified.

It is noteworthy that the UN Rapporteur will submit its final report in June to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva. But it will be published weeks ago at the end of May. The report will contain a series of recommendations but will not be binding on States.

Khashoggi, a fierce critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was killed on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh has admitted his death but denies any relationship with the crown prince.