'Nothing new' : Saudi Arabia reprimands report on killing of Jamal Khashoggi

The report "contains clear contradictions and baseless allegations that call into question its credibility", said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir.

Riyadh:

Saudi Foreign Minister today rejected a UN report that there is credible evidence from Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and other senior officials responsible for the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"Nothing new ... The human rights council's rapporteur reiterates in her non-binding report what has been published and disseminated in the media", tweeted Adel al-Jubeir.

The report "contains clear contradictions and baseless allegations that question its credibility", he added.

Agnes Callamard, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, concluded that Khashoggi's murder was deliberate and premeditated, but did not reach a conclusion as to his guilt. His report is based on recordings and forensic work by Turkish investigators and information from the trials of suspects in Saudi Arabia.

This trial should be suspended, she said, citing concerns about secret hearings and a potential denial of justice.

Jubeir rejected any attempt to influence the trial or distance it from the Saudi judicial process.

In a subsequent statement issued by the official news agency SPA, he indicated that the report contained "false accusations confirmed as arising from preconceived ideas and positions of Callamard with respect to the Kingdom", and indicated that Riyadh retained the right to sue in response to his accusations.