French Judge to Lead Inquiry Into Khashoggi Killing

A French judge has been appointed to lead an inquiry into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The probe was deemed admissible following a ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal. It looks into charges of torture and enforced disappearance. Earlier efforts saw minimal judicial follow-up.

A French judge has been tasked with leading an inquiry into the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to the country's national anti-terrorism prosecutor's office (PNAT). This follows a Paris Court of Appeal ruling on May 11 that deemed the complaints by rights groups TRIAL International and Reporters Without Borders as admissible.

The case examines charges of torture and enforced disappearance but excludes a complaint from Khashoggi's employer, DAWN, which was deemed inadmissible. Khashoggi was allegedly killed and dismembered by Saudi agents at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in an operation that U.S. intelligence ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

While the crown prince denies ordering the murder, the French inquiry marks a new legal avenue in this case against him. Previous judicial attempts have stalled, including in Turkey, which transferred its case to Saudi jurisdiction, drawing condemnation from rights groups.