Journalist Jamal Khashoggi murder: US hits 17 Saudis with sanctions

Washington, Nov 15: The United States (US) on Thursday imposed economic sanctions on 17 Saudi officials for their alleged involvement in the murder case of Washington Post columnist and Journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The 17 Saudi officials include top aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The US sanctions are the first in the Jamal Khashoggi murder case.

The sanctions were declared after Riyadh's public prosecutor announced that five officials face a possible death sentence in the case but exculpated the prince.

"The Saudi officials we are sanctioning were involved in the abhorrent killing of Jamal Khashoggi. These individuals who targeted and brutally killed a journalist who resided and worked in the United States must face consequences for their actions," said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.