Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohamed bin Salman has weighed in publicly for the first time on the brutal murder of renowned journalist and socio-political commentator Jamal Khasshogji.
Speaking on Sunday to an American broadcaster, Mr Salman denied any personal involvement in the killing of the journalist that shocked the world and sparked an uproar.
He, however, admitted that the murder was a heinous crime and that it was committed by members of the Saudi government.
"This was a heinous crime," he said in the interview.
"But I take full responsibility as a leader in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government, " he added.
Human rights activists have called for sanctions to be imposed on members in the top echelons of the Saudi government including the crown prince himself.
Khasshogji was killed last year in October after entering a Saudi consulate and his body dismembered.
Mohamed bi Salman denied that he had any prior knowledge of the grisly killing.
"This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," he said.
Critics have long held the view that Mohamed bin Salman ordered the killing of the Washington Post columnist who constantly castigated the Saudi government.
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