RIYADH: Jamal Khashoggi’s son Salah on Monday welcomed the Saudi court’s verdict regarding his father’s case and confirmed his family’s ‘confidence in the Saudi judiciary at all levels.’
“Fairness of the judiciary is based on two principles, justice and speedy litigation, so there is neither injustice nor procrastination,” Salah tweeted in Arabic.
“Today, the judiciary has done us justice, the children of the deceased, Jamal Khashoggi. We affirm our confidence in the Saudi judiciary at all levels, in serving and achieving justice. Thanks to God.”
إنصاف القضاء يقوم على مبدأين، العدالة وسرعة التقاضي، فلا ظلم ولا مماطلة. اليوم القضاء أنصفنا نحن ابناء المرحوم، بإذن الله جمال خاشقجي. ونؤكد ثقتنا في القضاء السعودي بكافة مستوياته وقيامه بإنصافنا وتحقيق العدالة. الحمد لله والشكر له.
— salah khashoggi (@salahkhashoggi) December 23, 2019
The Saudi Human Rights Commission tweeted on Monday that the ruling in the Khashoggi case was an example of Saudi Arabia’s judicial independence and impartiality, adding that the trial of those accused was in line with international standards.
The head of the Commission, Dr. Awwad bin Saleh Al-Awwad, said: “The preliminary ruling on the Khashoggi accusers on Monday is a clear testament to the independence, impartiality and competence of the Kingdom’s judiciary and a good conduct of justice and no impunity. These are principles stipulated in the Kingdom’s laws, foremost of which is the basic system of government.”
He said that this ruling came following several sessions, where the principles of a fair trial were adhered to, including ensuring that the parties involved in the case — including defendants, their attorneys and the Public Prosecution and the Prosecutor — were able to exercise their judicial rights.
“All their rights have been guaranteed by the Kingdom’s regulations that are in line with international standards for a fair trial,” he added.
Al-Awwad said the commission attended all the court sessions related to the trial and that it had followed due course.
He praised the court for taking on the tiral, despite attempts to influence the course of justice from outside via media and other means.
Meanwhile, Bahrain said the ruling against the accused in the case “reflected the integrity of the Saudi Arabian judiciary.”
A senior US administration official, meanwhile, said the Saudi trial as important first step in holding those responsible for Khashoggi’s murder accountable.
The offical also urged the Kingdom to continue with a “fair and transparent” judicial process.
The Riyadh criminal court’s verdict elicited a variety of reactions from across the world.
Five people were sentenced to death and three others given extended jail time over the Oct. 2, 2018, murder of Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, Turkey.
Interviewed on Al-Arabiya, Mohamed Al-Mahmood, a Saudi legal consultant, said: “Today, Saudi Arabia is announcing to the whole world that it has a criminal justice system that is transparent and independent of all external influences.
“The judges have based their verdicts on credible investigations and hard evidence, which they believe are clear and convincing.
The defendants, who have been sentenced to execution by shooting or to jail time, have the right to appeal their sentence in the second stage of the trial.
“This stage will take place in the appeal court, led by five independent judges, each with no less than 20 years of experience in the judicial system.
“These judges will review all evidence provided and re-investigate the charges made for each of the defendants.”
Jasser Al-Jasser, a journalist based in Riyadh, said that the Khashoggi trial is being treated as a criminal case involving Saudi citizens, not something “linked to media or politics.”
“The public prosecution had reached out to the Turkish authorities for any information, leads or evidence on the killing of Khashoggi and had carried out a comprehensive investigation, questioning anyone who could be involved in the murder during the trial’s first stage,” Al-Jasser told Al-Arabiya.
“The trial is based on transparency and the legal proceedings were attended by representatives from Turkey, international organizations and diplomats, as well as Khashoggi’s family members.”
Dominic Raab, the UK foreign secretary, said on Twitter: “The killing of Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible crime. Mr Khashoggi’s family deserve to see justice done for his brutal murder. Saudi Arabia must ensure all of those responsible are held to account and that such an atrocity can never happen again.”
The killing of Jamal Khashoggi was a terrible crime. Mr Khashoggi’s family deserve to see justice done for his brutal murder. Saudi Arabia must ensure all of those responsible are held to account and that such an atrocity can never happen again. https://t.co/rpm0WWaMcb
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) December 23, 2019
Ghanem Nuseibeh, founder of the strategy and management consultancy company Cornerstone Global Associates, said: “I am ideologically opposed to the death penalty but that’s the Saudi law, and presumably what the family of Khashoggi wants.”
