A US judge asked President Joe Biden, who promised to make the KSA Prince a pariah for the murder of Saudi-born US journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, which is a source of contention. It seems the US leader will regret threatening Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who plays a vital role in solving the US energy crisis.
Prince bin Salman will be meeting Biden ahead of the Riyadh visit might not pan out due to the undiplomatic attitude of the administration will be a problem.
US Needs To Convince KSA Prince Mohammed bin Salman
US District Court Judge John Bates requested the White House to give an opinion in a criminal case against bin Salman, alleged to be part of the murder of Khashoggi in 2018, reported Sputnik News.
This visit is critical for the US leader whose energy policies have not worked, his trip to Riyadh is crucial, but his accusations might sour up a good outcome. Another concern is Bates' question if the Saudi Monarch will be exempted from US national interests.
Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi's fiancée, who was murdered in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul because of his criticism of bin Salman, brought the criminal case.
The kingdom's investigation revealed that a rogue group of security agents was responsible for the murder, but Cengiz is adamant that the crown prince was also involved. Her assertion is supported by a report from the US intelligence community that Biden released in the first months of his presidency that comes to the same conclusion, noted Worldakam.
The US judge and the question could be a problem as the president does not want to antagonize KSA Prince bin Salman during this month's state visit with the Jamal Khashoggi concern.
Washington is pleading with the OPEC nations to produce lessened fuel prices, mainly Saudi Arabia, to help the gas crisis, despite the accusations hedged against the crown prince.
Judge Bates is giving the White House till August 1 to explain whether they will agree to make bin Salman liable. There are attempts by lawyers of the prince that the US has no right because of his Saudi title, citing Middle East Eye.
The Act of State Doctrine
One question is whether the administration will apply the so-call act of state doctrine limiting the prosecution of leaders abroad and actions of foreign states in US courts.
Though valid, this doctrine goes against a 1991 law allowing US citizens to charge foreign countries and their leaders in domestic courts if US laws are broken.
Whether the case is dismissed and rejected with no intervention by the White House, Prince bin Salman will be tried in a sham hearing on August 31. Cengiz, Khashoggi's fiancée, wants the US government to let the case proceed.
During his presidential campaign, Joe Biden called the Crown Prince guilty a while back and promised to make him a pariah for the death of the journalist. It seems the White House chose to bide its answer to the judge when the report was published.
The crown prince took the blame for what happened but did not admit it was his fault. US District Court Judge Bates awaits the president's decision on KSA Prince Mohammed bin Salman about the Jamal Khashoggi murder, a sham trial by KSA representatives.
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