The CIA would have concluded that the assassination of Jamal Khashoggi had been ordered by the Saudi Crown Prince

The CIA reportedly concluded that the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has so far denied any involvement in the killing, according to sources quoted by several media outlets.
Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the US-based crown prince and writes for the Washington Post, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

The CIA's assessment appears to be largely based on bin Salman's control, according to sources in the Washington Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the AP. In other words, the murder could not have been committed without the knowledge of bin Salman, often referred to by his initials, MBS.

The CIA refused to comment. US intelligence officials told CBS News that the intelligence services believed the killing had been premeditated, and one source confirmed that the CIA had found that MBS had ordered it.

In the first two weeks after Khashoggi's disappearance, Saudi officials denied knowing, while Turkish officials anonymously declared that he had been murdered inside the consulate by a team. 15 members. On October 19, the Saudi government acknowledged for the first time that Khashoggi had been murdered.

But he described the incident as underhanded and denied any involvement of MBS. A formal assessment that MBS allegedly ordered the killing would have significant consequences for relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.

Thursday, the United States announced penalties of 17 Saudi people involved in Khashoggi's death. President Trump has resisted blame MBS for Khashoggi's death. He mentioned the importance of the Saudis in the fight against Iran's influence in the region, as well as in future military sales by subcontractors of the American defense.

So far, the Saudi government has indicted 11 people for the death of Khashoggi and 21 in total are in detention. Saudi Arabia's best prosecutor is recommend the death penalty for five of the suspects.

Holly Williams, CBS News correspondent reported On Thursday, the Saudi prosecutor officially admitted to the kingdom that Khashoggi's body had been dismembered after his assassination in the consulate. This is what the Turkish authorities say for weeks.

According to the Washington Post, the CIA's testimony also included a phone call between Khashoggi and bin Salman's brother and US ambassador Khalid bin Salman, who had suggested Khashoggi to visit Turkey. Khalid Bin Salman denied the allegation, claiming that his last communication with Khashoggi had taken place nearly a year ago.

Olivia Gazis and Caroline Linton contributed to this report.