(CNN) – The US intelligence report on the assassination of journalist Jamal Kashoghi says that the person responsible for the operation was the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia. Mohammed Then Salman, and said that he himself had consented to capture or kill Kashogi.
“We estimate that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has approved an operation to capture or assassinate Saudi journalist Jamal Kashoki in Istanbul, Turkey,” the statement said.
“This assessment is based on the Crown Prince’s control over the decision-making in the kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s security forces, and the Crown Prince’s support for the use of violent measures.
Bin Salman is reported to have “complete control” of Saudi intelligence and security operations, meaning that such an attack on Kashoki would not be carried out without his approval.
The Biden administration on Friday released a long-awaited intelligence report on Gadok’s assassination.
The administration issued a statement to Congress prior to its public release.
Congress ordered the release of the report. It came after President Joe Biden and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud spoke on Thursday.
“Since 2017, the Crown Prince has complete control over the Kingdom’s security and intelligence systems, so it is highly unlikely that Saudi officials will carry out an operation of this nature without the Crown Prince’s approval,” the report said.
The 15-member Saudi delegation, which arrived in Istanbul in October 2018 at the time of Kashogi’s assassination, reportedly includes members related to the Saudi Media Studies and Affairs (CSMARC) in the Royal Court, led by a close adviser. Bin Salman’s, and “the seven members of Muhammad bin Salman’s elite personal security unit, known as the Rapid Intervention Force (RIF).”
