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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World

Jamal Khashoggi latest: Saudi crown prince says all culprits in 'heinous crime' will be punished

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince said the killing of Jamal Khashoggi was a 'heinous act'

The Saudi crown prince has claimed all culprits will be punished in the case of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

He said Mr Khashoggi’s death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was a “heinous crime which cannot be justified”.

Appearing on a discussion panel at an international investment conference in Riyadh, Mohammed bin Salman claimed "justice will prevail".

He also said Saudi Arabia and Turkey will work together "to reach results”.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman attends the Future Investment Initiative conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, when he spoke about the death of Mr Khashoggi (Amr Nabil/AP)

"The incident that happened," he said, "is very painful for all Saudis. The incident is not justifiable."

Saudi Arabia continues to face intense international pressure over Mr Khasoggi’s death on October 2. International business leaders had pulled out of the conference over the killing.

Hours earlier, US president Donald Trump said the crown prince bore ultimate responsibility for the operation that led to Khashoggi's killing.

UK Prime Minister Theresa May also announced Saudi officials suspected of being part of the murder plot will be banned from Britain.

Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman talks with Senegal president Macky Sall at the conference on Wednesday (AFP/Getty Images)

And as bin Salman spoke at the conference, the Czech Republic announced it will withdraw a diplomat from its embassy in Saudi Arabia.

Turkey has said 15 Saudi officials arrived in Istanbul shortly before Mr Khashoggi died. Officials said this comprised of a hit squad which included a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage.

Saudi Arabia has given conflicting accounts about Mr Khashoggi's killing, first denying his death and later saying the journalist had died inside the consulate after a fight, an explanation that has drawn international scepticism.

Additional reporting by agencies.

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