The United States government is pondering upon a request by the Saudis to grant Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman immunity from prosecution over accusations that he had masterminded the assassination plot of a former intelligence officer-turned critic. According to Bloomberg, the request is being reviewed by the US State Department officials and the findings will then be forwarded to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, who would make recommendations to the Justice Department.
As per the report, the Saudis are seeking immunity for the Crown Prince before January 20, when incumbent President Donald Trump leaves the White House and Joe Biden takes over. Biden has promised to act tough against the Saudis, who have been accused of acting like a rogue state lately. The case in which the Saudis are seeking immunity has been brought by former high-level intelligence official Saad Aljabri, who has accused the Crown Prince of sending assassins to Canada, where he currently lives in exile.
