KHASHOGGI: US imposes sanctions as Saudi seeks death penalty for suspects in journalist’s murder

At least 17 Saudi officials have been sanctioned by the United States of America for their role in the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi whose death sparked global outrage.

The move by the US also comes as public prosecutors in Saudi Arabia seek death penalty for the five suspects linked to the murder of Khashoggi.

Among those sanctioned were Saud al-Qahtani, who has been removed from his position as a top aide to the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as the Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi and members of a 15-person team Turkey has identified as being involved.

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“These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions,” US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin said in a statement.

The development is coming days after Saudi Arabia was again indicted in the killing of Khashoggi after another report by the New York Times revealed that a member of the assassination squad phoned a superior shortly after the pen pusher was assassinated.

According to the report by the New York Times, a member of the kill team phoned Saudi prince’s aide shortly after Khashoggi was murdered saying “tell your boss” their mission had been accomplished.

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