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Mohammed bin Salman (on November 18)
Photo: ATHIT PERAWONGMETHA/POOL/EPA
It may have been one of the last attempts to bring those responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was critical of the government, to justice.
This attempt failed on Tuesday (local time).
A US federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
He referred to a statement sent by the US government, according to which the defendant was the acting head of government "and therefore immune".
Judge John Bates said that even though the suing fiancee made "strong" arguments, Khashoggis must follow the government's position.
Khashoggi's fiancee Hatice Cengiz wanted to prove in the trial that bin Salman was behind the assassination of the government critic in October 2018 in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul.
Cengiz has "strong" arguments, Justice Bates said.
However, he has no choice but to follow the US government's statement and therefore dismiss the lawsuit.
The government sent the judge an official statement in mid-November that bin Salman enjoyed immunity as head of government.
The influential crown prince, who has been the de facto ruler of Saudi Arabia for years, was only appointed prime minister in September.
This timing, among other things, made him "uncomfortable," Bates explained.
The 59-year-old Khashoggi was murdered in 2018 in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, where he had an appointment to prepare for the wedding to Cengiz, who comes from Turkey.
According to official information from Turkey and the USA, a 15-strong commando was waiting at the representation, murdered him and made his body disappear.
According to US intelligence, bin Salman personally approved of Khashoggi's assassination.
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Under international pressure, after weeks of denials, Riyadh declared that the government critic and opponent of bin Salman had been killed "in a failed attempt to arrest him."
The murder had sparked international outrage and severely strained relations between oil-rich Saudi Arabia and many western countries.
In the meantime, however, the crown prince is again a sought-after discussion partner, not least as a result of the energy crisis caused by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden also met with bin Salman in July.
Before his election, Biden said Saudi Arabia should be treated like a "pariah" state over the Khashoggi assassination.
jok/dpa
