The Biden administration has asked a US court to grant immunity to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. If the court agrees, he cannot be sued in the United States. He is accused of involvement in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi was killed on October 2, 2018 while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His body has not been found yet. US intelligence services came to an end He denies that the Saudi crown prince was behind the murder.

Khashoggi’s fiancee Hades Genghis sued the crown prince in the United States. But because of his recent appointment as prime minister, he is now eligible for foreign heads of government immunity.

The White House’s National Security Council spokesman said the US government’s request for immunity for Mohammed bin Salman had nothing to do with the nature of the case. According to the U.S. State Department, this is purely “legal merit.”

Last July Biden also spoke with Prince Mohammed in Saudi Arabia, including Khashoggi. Later, Biden said he told the crown prince that he held him personally responsible for the murder. The prince denied the allegations and said those involved should be held accountable, Biden said.