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President Joe Biden faces flak after US approves immunity to Mohammed bin Salman over killing of Jamal Khashoggi

The US Justice Department decided to grant immunity to Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman from prosecution for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. Following the move by the government, an advocacy group blamed US President Joe Biden for protecting Mohammed bin Salman.

The CIA found that the murder and dismemberment of Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, by a Saudi hit squad in the country's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 were probably ordered by Prince Mohammed.

He has been the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia for some time.

After the US Justice Department determined that Prince Mohammed had sovereign immunity as an acting head of state, his fiancée Hatice Cengiz, who filed a civil lawsuit against him in a US district court, expressed her dismay.

After the decision, she posted on Twitter, "Jamal died again today," which will probably cause Judge John Bates to throw out her case. According to Democracy for the Arab World Now, an advocacy group co-founded by Khashoggi and a co-plaintiff in the case; the decision contradicted Mr Biden's pledge to demonise MBS as the crown prince is known.



Prince Mohammed's appointment as prime minister by Saudi King Salman in a royal decree issued in late September, which a Saudi official stated acknowledged the responsibilities the crown prince was already fulfilling, may have made the choice easier.

When President Biden visited Saudi Arabia in July to address oil and security matters, he was criticised for giving the crown prince a fist bump.

In a plea submitted to the court in Washington on October 3 asking that the lawsuit be dismissed, the prince's attorneys said that: The Royal Order leaves no doubt that the Crown Prince is entitled to status-based protection.

FAQs:
  • Who filed a civil lawsuit against Jamal in a US district court?
    Jamal’s fiancée Hatice Cengiz filed a civil lawsuit against Jamal in a US district court.
  • Why was President Biden criticised when he visited Saudi Arabia?
    When President Biden visited Saudi Arabia in July to address oil and security matters, he was criticised for giving the crown prince a fist bump.
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