Saudi crown prince ordered murder of Khashoggi, CIA concludes

The murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been blamed on Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, according to US intelligence officials.

Reports say the CIA has concluded that Saudi crown prince ordered the assassination of Khashoggi in Istanbul.

Citing Washington Post, which first reported the CIA conclusion, US officials expressed high confidence in the CIA assessment which contradicts Saudi government assertions that the crown prince was not involved.

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The report is coming after at least 17 Saudi officials were sanctioned by the United States of America for their role in the killing of Khashoggi whose has 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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