Sons of murdered Washington Post columnist Khashoggi forgive Saudi killers, sparing 5 execution

The sons of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Friday they "forgive" the killers of their father, a move condemned by his former fiancee and described as a "parody of justice" by a UN expert.

Khashoggi -- a royal family insider turned critic -- was killed and dismembered at the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, in a case that tarnished the reputation of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

His family's pardon is expected to spare the lives of five unnamed people sentenced to death over the murder in a December court ruling, which was lambasted by human rights groups after two top aides to the crown prince were exonerated.