French Judge to Probe Complaint Against Saudi’s MBS Over Journalist Khashoggi’s Killing

A French court has agreed to investigate a complaint against Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS) over his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The decision marks a significant development in the long and complex case, which has been marred by controversy and diplomatic maneuvering.

The complaint was filed by a coalition of rights groups, including Democracy for the Arab World Now and Trial International, during MBS’s visit to France in July 2022. The court of appeal’s decision allows an investigation into MBS’s involvement in Khashoggi’s killing, which occurred at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

The case against MBS has been shrouded in controversy due to its high-profile nature and the complex web of international relations surrounding it. US intelligence services have concluded that MBS was directly responsible for Khashoggi’s murder, but this assessment has been met with resistance from Saudi officials and their allies.

In contrast to the Turkish investigation, which has been hindered by a lack of cooperation from Saudi Arabia, the French probe is a separate development that comes at a time when the international community is increasingly scrutinizing human rights records in countries like Saudi Arabia. Journalists, activists, and dissidents are regularly targeted in such nations.

The decision to investigate MBS’s role in Khashoggi’s killing sends a clear message that even powerful leaders can be held accountable for their actions under international law. As Henri Thulliez, lawyer for Trial International, noted, “there should no longer be any obstacle to opening a judicial investigation into the atrocious crime committed against Jamal Khashoggi.”

This development reflects growing recognition of state responsibility and the notion that states cannot hide behind diplomatic immunity to shield themselves from accountability. The concept of state responsibility has long been contentious, but recent developments in international law have clarified this notion.

The French investigation is likely to face challenges and resistance from Saudi Arabia, which exerts significant pressure on countries to drop cases against its officials. However, with the backing of rights groups and a coalition of international partners, it’s possible that this case will continue to gain momentum.

MBS’s future remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the pursuit of justice for Jamal Khashoggi has become more formidable. As Emmanuel Daoud, lawyer for Reporters Without Borders, put it, “the crime of which Jamal Khashoggi was a victim is an abominable crime… decided and planned at the highest level of the Saudi state.” The investigation sends a strong signal that even those who wield significant power will not be immune from accountability.

This case also raises questions about the relationship between international law and national interests. How far can countries go to pursue justice for victims of human rights abuses, especially when it involves powerful states with significant diplomatic influence? These are complex questions that require nuanced answers.

The pursuit of justice should never be subject to the whims of diplomacy. The French court’s decision marks a significant turning point in the long and tortuous pursuit of justice for Jamal Khashoggi, sending a strong signal that even those who wield significant power will not be immune from accountability.