Petition filed at ICC demands MBS investigated for 'crimes against humanity' following Khashoggi affair

An anonymous human rights organisation has filed a petition with the International Criminal Court (ICC) calling for an investigation into alleged "crimes against humanity" relating to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, including his alleged role in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The petition, which was made public on Wednesday, was originally filed to the ICC's chief prosecutor in July.

Wednesday marks the one year anniversary of Khashoggi's killing in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, by a team of Saudi officials closely linked to the crown prince.

Saudi Arabia has admitted its own agents were responsible for Khashoggi's death, but has repeatedly denied allegations the crown prince ordered the assassination despite mounting evidence on the contrary.

"Mohammed Bin Salman, through command or superior responsibility, is guilty of murder, torture, rape, extortion, illegal detentions, wrongful prosecution and the death penalty, i.e., crimes against humanity as defined in Article 7 of the Rome Statute," the petition argues.

"The victims have been selected because of their opposition to the crown prince's merciless tyranny," it adds.

As neither Saudi Arabia nor Turkey are members of the ICC, it is unclear whether the court will respond to the filing as it only has jurisdiction over crimes committed in member states.

Along with the high-profile Khashoggi affair, Saudi Arabia's human rights record has come under further scrutiny following allegations of sexual harassment and torture of imprisoned women's rights campaigners.

Human Rights Watch on Tuesday accused Saudi Arabia of "doubling down" on repression of dissent since Khashoggi's assassination.

Sarah Leah Whitson, the group's Middle East director, accused Saudi authorities of "continuing to silence independent Saudi voices that Khashoggi sought to defend".