Mohammad bin Salman: Lawsuit against Saudi crown prince dismissed after Biden administration recommended he is given immunity
CNNDEC 2022
US Dismisses Suit Against Saudi Ruler Over Khashoggi Killing
Image credit: Saudi Royal Palace/AP [via Al Jazeera]
The Spin
Establishment-critical narrative
The granting of immunity to MBS prioritizes political glad-handing over human rights, and the judge saw right through it. Unfortunately, Bates, who called the allegations against MBS “credible,” couldn’t do more to hold the prince accountable because of the Biden administration's shady move.
Pro-establishment narrative
Sovereign immunity exists as much to protect foreign figureheads as American leaders and diplomats from being subject to foreign laws, and it’s being applied properly to MBS. It’s customary to protect allied foreign heads of state from lawsuits. This isn't a question of whether Saudi Arabia violates human rights but whether the kingdom is firmly aligned with the US.
