Family of slain Saudi journalist sues Saudi Crown Prince
Washington: The family of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has filed a federal lawsuit accusing Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of personally ordering Khashoggi's brutal execution in order to silence the high-profile government critic.
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Washington, D.C., on behalf of Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz and Democracy for the Arab World Now or DAWN, the human rights organization that Khashoggi founded shortly before his death.
It names Prince Mohammed and a host of Saudi Ministry of Interior officials, accusing them of a brutal and brazen crime that was the result of weeks of planning" and premeditation.
Jamal believed anything was possible in America and I place my trust in the American civil justice system to obtain a measure of justice and accountability," Cengiz said in a statement Tuesday.
Khashoggi disappeared on Oct. 2, 2018 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, seeking documents that would allow him to marry Cengiz, a Turkish national who was waiting outside the building. He never emerged.
Turkish officials allege Khashoggi was killed and then dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate. His body has not been found. Turkey apparently had the consulate bugged and shared audio of the killing with the C.I.A., among others.
Western intelligence agencies, as well as the U.S. Congress, have said the crown prince bears ultimate responsibility for the killing and that an operation of this magnitude could not have happened without his knowledge.
A prominent government critic, Khashoggi had founded DAWN in order to push for democratic and human rights reform in Saudi Arabia and throughout the Arab world. Tuesday's suit alleges that the defendants saw Mr. Khashoggi's actions in the United States as an existential threat to their political interests and sought to lure him inside the consulate where a specially dispatched hit squad awaited.
Defendants resolved to put an end to Mr. Khashoggi's efforts by any means necessary, the suit states.
Saudi officials initially offering conflicting accounts, including claiming that Khashoggi had left the building unharmed. But amid mounting international pressure, they settled on the explanation that Khashoggi's death was a tragic accident, saying that the team was under orders to merely persuade him to return to the kingdom. The official account is that the meeting unexpectedly turned violent, resulting in Khashoggi's accidental death.
In September, a Saudi court issued a final verdict sentencing five mid-level officials and operatives to 20-year jail sentences. The court had originally ordered the death penalty, but reduced the punishment after Khashoggi's son Salah, who lives in Saudi Arabia and has received financial compensation from the royal court for his father's killing, announced that he forgave the defendants.
Three others were sentenced to lesser jail terms. The Saudi court did not implicate Prince Mohammed or other senior Interior Ministry officials.
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On Ambedkar's Mahaparinirvan Din, thousands gather at Chaityabhoomi; Guv, CM hail social icon
Mumbai (PTI): Thousands of followers of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar converged at his memorial in Mumbai's Dadar area on Saturday to pay tributes to the social reformer on his death anniversary, observed as 'Mahaparinirvan Din'.
Maharashtra Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray were among those who paid tributes to Ambedkar at 'Chaityabhoomi' in Shivaji Park.
The Governor said Ambedkar gave the country a Constitution which ensured equal rights to all people.
Speaking at a tribute event organised at 'Chaityabhoomi' on the occasion of the 69th Mahaparinirvan Din of Dr Ambedkar, Devvrat said great personalities strengthen movements of social justice and live forever through their thoughts and work.
"Despite adversities, Babasaheb believed education to be the most powerful weapon to change the future of a family, society and a country. The Constitution united people from different communities and ensured equal rights to all," he said.
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said Ambedkar laid the foundation for the nation's progress and due to his far-sighted vision, India has emerged as the world's fourth largest economy and is poised to reach the third rank soon.
Fadnavis underlined Ambedkar's role in India's energy security, stating that the adoption of a national power grid concept enabled the country's path toward energy self-reliance.
"The Constitution ensured a strong democratic base and safeguarded the rights of common citizens," he said, adding the state government is committed to completing developmental works at the 'Chaityabhoomi' memorial.
Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said Ambedkar's struggle was for establishing equality, liberty, justice and fraternity.
"The guiding principle of "Educate, Organise and Agitate" continues to inspire social transformation," he said.
The Governor, Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, along with several ministers, MPs, MLAs and dignitaries, paid floral tributes at the memorial. Dignitaries also visited a photo exhibition organised by the BMC.
A helicopter showered flower petals over 'Chaityabhoomi' and copies of the Constitution were presented to the attendees.
Every year, thousands of people from across the state converge at 'Chaityabhoomi' on December 6. Ambedkar died on this day in 1956.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set up temporary sheds, mobile toilets, drinking water and medical stalls at the Shivaji Park, in view of the huge rush of Ambedkar's followers.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled Ambedkar’s ‘visionary’ leadership.
“Remembering Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality and constitutionalism continue to guide our national journey. He inspired generations to uphold human dignity and strengthen democratic values.
“May his ideals keep lighting our path as we work towards building a Viksit Bharat,” Modi said in his message.
