The New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs (NYCFPA) is deeply troubled by the U.S. Government’s declassified report implicating the Saudi government, the Saudi Crown Prince, and their alarming role in the horrendous murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence’s (ODNI) findings proves to be alarming of the character of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi government officials as well as demonstrates the apparent lack of remorse for their actions.
The report found that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had complete control of Saudi Arabia’s decision-making and approved an operation to capture and/or kill Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, Turkey. One of the Crown Prince’s key advisors and members of his protective detail was found to be actively involved in the operation that led to Khashoggi’s killing. If this investigation by the ODNI has shown anything, the curtain is finally being drawn back for the world to see the unjust and brutal human rights violations that the Saudi government is committing in plain sight.
The NYCFPA calls on President Biden, Secretary Blinken, and Congress to implement immediate sanctions against Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Saudi Arabia. We also call for the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to immediately open a criminal investigation into the Crown Prince and his accomplices’ actions. Furthermore, we call on the International Criminal Court to seek charges against the Crown Prince for his deplorable actions. The current Biden administration, Congress, and the world should not take this troubling news lightly.
The United States has been an advocate for hundreds of years for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. This was not just an attack on Jamal Khashoggi and his voice but also the voice of all journalists worldwide. An event of this magnitude shows the world that we still have work left to do in regards to elevating voices rather than silencing them.
Justin Russell, the Principal Director of the NYCFPA, states, “The ODNI report is clear, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi was nothing less than a pre-mediated murder of a U.S.-based journalist who was critical of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The clear disregard for life demonstrated by the Crown Prince requires immediate sanctions against, and a criminal investigation of, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. We demand justice for Jamal Khashoggi!”
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About The New York Center For Foreign Policy Affairs
The New York Center for Foreign Policy Affairs (NYCFPA) is a policy, research, and educational organization headquartered in New York State with an office in Washington D.C. NYCFPA is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan, institution devoted to conducting in-depth research and analysis on every aspect of American foreign policy and its impact around the world.
Media Contact:
Justin Russell – Principal Director
justin.russell@nycfpa.org 202-503-4089 www.nycfpa.org
