French investigating judge to probe 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi

Published on 16/05/2026 - 15:14 GMT+2

Following a ailment filed by the NGOs Trial International and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a French investigating justice is to look into the disappearance of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi.

The dissident journalist, who was surviving successful the United States, was murdered successful 2018 wrong the Saudi consulate successful Istanbul. His body, which was dismembered, has ne'er been found. US quality services had pointed to the nonstop work of Mohammed bin Salman.

In July 2022, during a sojourn to France by the Saudi crown prince, Trial International and Democracy for the Arab World Now (DAWN), the organisation that employed Jamal Khashoggi, took ineligible action, and were aboriginal joined by a ailment from RSF.

But the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor’s Office (PNAT) had opposed the opening of an probe successful France, arguing that the NGOs did not person lasting to record a ailment for this benignant of crime. This determination was sharply criticised by RSF’s lawyer, Emmanuel Daoud, who denounced "a realpolitik successful the sanction of France’s superior economical interests truthful arsenic not to choler the Saudi authorities".

The NGOs impeach Mohammed bin Salman of complicity successful acts of torture and enforced disappearance arsenic portion of an organised group, notably accusing him of having "ordered the execution by asphyxiation" of Jamal Khashoggi by his subordinates.

According to the tribunal of appeal, "the anticipation that these acts could beryllium classified arsenic crimes against humanity cannot beryllium ruled out".

The PNAT has confirmed that "an investigating justice from the crimes against humanity portion volition present analyse the complaint".

DAWN, which successful the extremity cannot articulation the lawsuit arsenic a civilian party, has for its portion hailed "an important measurement towards justice".

After being ostracised by the planetary community, Saudi Arabia has since been brought backmost into the fold. During a gathering with Donald Trump astatine the White House successful precocious 2025, Mohammed bin Salman described the sidesplitting arsenic "a immense mistake", portion inactive refusing to admit his ain role.