Khashoggi Murder Happened Under My Watch Saudi Crown Prince Tells PBS

(Reuters) Stephen Kalin September 26 2019 12:48 RIYADH Sept 26 (Reuters) - Saudi Arabias crown prince said he bears responsibility for the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year by Saudi operatives because it happened under my watch according to a PBS documentary to be broadcast next week. It is the first time that Mohammed bin Salman the kingdoms de facto ruler has publicly indicated personal accountability for the killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by operatives seen as close to him. The CIA and some Western governments have said they believe he ordered it but Saudi officials say he had no role. The death sparked a global uproar tarnishing the crown princes image and imperilling ambitious plans to diversify the economy of the worlds top oil exporter and open up cloistered Saudi society. He has not since visited the United States or Europe. It happened under my watch. I get all the responsibility because it happened under my watch he told PBS Martin Smith according to a preview of a documentary The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia set to air on Oct. 1 ahead of the one-year anniversary of Khashoggis death. After initial denials the official Saudi narrative blamed the murder on rogue operatives. The public prosecutor said the then-deputy intelligence chief ordered the repatriation of Khashoggi a royal insider who became an outspoken critic but the lead negotiator ordered him killed after discussions for his return failed. Saud al-Qahtani a former top royal adviser whom Reuters reported gave orders over Skype to the killers briefed the hit team on Khashoggis activities before the operation the prosecutor said. Asked how the killing could happen without him knowing about it Smith quotes Prince Mohammed as saying: We have 20 million people. We have 3 million government employees. Smith asked whether the killers could have taken private government jets to which the crown prince responded: I have officials ministers to follow things and theyre responsible. They have the authority to do that. Smith describes the December exchange which apparently took place off camera in the preview of the documentary. A senior U.S. administration official told Reuters in June the Trump administration was pressing Riyadh for tangible progress toward holding to account those behind the killing ahead. Eleven Saudi suspects have been put on trial in secretive proceedings but only a few hearings have been held. A U.N. report has called for Prince Mohammed and other senior Saudi officials to be investigated.