Seven years after the shocking murder of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi citizen and outspoken critic of the Saudi government, DR4G continues to denounce the absence of justice in his case. We once again call for an independent and impartial investigation into the responsibility of senior Saudi officials, including Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman; not only for Khashoggi, but for all those targeted through digital surveillance and cross-border repression.
Khashoggi, a critic of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), was murdered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Despite international outrage and comprehensive UN and US investigations, the main perpetrators have faced seemingly no accountability.
The Man Behind the Story:
Before his name became synonymous with one of the most shocking political murders of our time, Jamal Khashoggi was a journalist committed to the ideals of a freer and more open Arab world. Since his death, friends and colleagues have recalled his warmth, humility, and unwavering belief in dialogue over division. Though he once advised members of the Saudi elite, he grew increasingly critical of the government’s suppression of dissent and concentration of power. In his final column, published posthumously, he argued that “what the Arab world needs most is free expression,” Though that conviction cost him his life, his words continue to inspire journalists, activists, and citizens who refuse to remain silent in the face of repression
Clear evidence of impunity:
In June 2019, UN Special Rapporteur Agnes Callamard released a detailed report concluding that Khashoggi’s murder was a “premeditated execution” for which Saudi Arabia was responsible. The report provided credible evidence linking MBS to the crime and called for an international investigation and sanctions against high-level officials. The report emphasized that the operation required substantial human and financial resources, indicating direct involvement and approval at the highest levels of the Saudi state. Callamard also criticized the Saudi trial of suspects, describing it as lacking transparency and not conducted in “good faith”. However, these recommendations continue to be ignored. The Saudi government dismissed the report as biased and unfounded, and to this day refuses to cooperate with international investigators or allow access to key evidence.
Additionally, an investigation by US national security agencies in 2021 also found that the crown prince had most likely approved the “capture or kill” operation. That assessment was based on the prince’s control in decision making, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman’s protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince’s support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi. These findings concluded that it is highly unlikely that officials would have carried out such an operation without authorization.
The Saudi government denied these claims and has labeled them as “biased and unfounded”. To this day, they refuse to cooperate with international investigators or allow access to key evidence.
No clear path for Justice:
However, the international community has still not committed to taking on a meaningful role for justice. While some countries imposed sanctions on individuals involved in the murder, these measures stopped short of targeting MBS. The United States introduced a resolution called the “Khashoggi Ban,” restricting visas for 76 Saudi individuals believed to be involved in counter-dissident activities, but did not sanction the Crown Prince himself. Similarly, the UK sanctioned 20 Saudi officials but excluded MBS. This lack of decisive action has been criticized by human rights advocates as a failure to uphold international justice.
Rather than pursuing real accountability, the Khashoggi case became a political tool. U.S. administrations, both under Trump and Biden, used it for leverage against Riyadh. Even with a CIA assessment pointing to MBS’s direct involvement, the case was quietly dropped. Both presidents publicly promised justice, but neither followed through; choosing political expediency over principle.
This pattern highlights how Western governments often prioritise economic and strategic interests over human rights. The U.S., in particular, not only helped bury the case but also played a key role in rehabilitating MBS’s image as a “modernising reformer,” effectively allowing the crime to be swept under the rug.
Despite the continued push for justice, the recommendations have largely been ignored. The Saudi trial resulted in the conviction of lower-level operatives, but key figures including Saud al-Qahtani, a close adviser to MBS, and The Crown Prince himself faced no legal consequences.
A Continued Pattern:
Khashoggi’s assassination is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend of journalist and transnational repression. Freedom House has documented 854 incidents of such repression from 38 governments in 91 countries between 2014 and 2022. Authoritarian regimes, including Saudi Arabia, China, and Russia, have increasingly targeted dissidents abroad through surveillance, harassment, and violence.
In the U.K., Saudi exiles have reported threats and intimidation, including death threats and harassment of family members back home. Despite these reports, British authorities have been criticized for failing to take adequate action, with some activists accusing the government of “turning a blind eye” due to diplomatic and economic ties with Saudi Arabia.
The Path Forward:
As of October 2025, the main perpetrators of Khashoggi’s murder remain unpunished. This acts as a reminder of a dangerous reality: without collective action, authoritarian regimes will continue to weaponize technology to silence dissent beyond their borders. DR4G believes that we must do more to uphold digital rights, protecting press freedom. Thus, implementing the UN’s recommendations, including independent investigations and targeted sanctions, is crucial to deter future violations and uphold the principles of human rights and freedom of expression.