NYT: Four Khashoggi Suspects Had Direct Ties to Saudi Crown Prince

Four suspects identified by Turkish officials in the disappearance of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi have direct connections to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, undermining any possible suggestion that Khashoggi died in an interrogation gone wrong, according to the New York Times. Three of those individuals—Abdulaziz Mohammed al-Hawsawi, Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi, and Muhammed Saad Alzahrani—are identified by the Times as members of the Saudi royal guard or part of the crown prince’s security team. Another suspect, Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, is said to have been a “frequent companion” of the crown prince, having reportedly been spotted disembarking planes with him and standing guard for him in Paris, Madrid, Houston, Boston, and the United Nations. A British diplomatic roster cited by the Times said Mutreb was a “diplomat assigned to the Saudi embassy in London in 2007.” A fifth suspect, Dr. Salah al-Tubaigy, is also reportedly an “autopsy expert,” and forensic doctor, whose presence among the other suspects would appear to raise questions about any claims that Khashoggi’s death was an accident. Saudi authorities have previously denied playing any role in Khashoggi’s disappearance but are reportedly preparing to release a report claiming his death at the consulate was an “interrogation gone wrong.”