It was “at the top” of the topics of conversation: US President Joe Biden said he had raised the murder of government critic Khashoggi with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

According to US President Joe Biden, he raised the murder of Saudi government critic Jamal Khashoggi with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman – but he denied any responsibility.

“He basically said he wasn’t personally responsible. I implied that I think he is,” Biden said on a visit to Saudi Arabia on Friday. He addressed the topic “crystal clear” right at the beginning of the meeting with the Saudi leadership. “I don’t regret anything I said. What happened to Khashoggi was outrageous,” Biden said.

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In addition, he made it clear to the heir to the throne that another act like the murder of journalist Khashoggi would result in a “response” from the United States, according to the US President. Khashoggi’s murder was “at the top” of the topics of conversation, the US President said.

The journalist Khashoggi, who lives in the USA, was brutally killed by a hit squad in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. US secret services see the crown prince – also known by his acronym “MBS” – as directly responsible. He denied ordering the killing. Biden has had to defend his trip and meeting with the crown prince against criticism for weeks. The US President arrived in Saudi Arabia from Israel on Friday.

Khashoggi’s fiancée Hatice Cengiz tweeted a picture to the US President of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman greeting Biden with the caption: “The blood of MBS’ next victims is on your hands.” Biden said, “I’m sorry she feels this way.”