'Absolutely not': Saudi Crown Prince Salman denies involvement in Khashoggi murder

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Monday denied his involvement in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking to the CBS programme "60 Minutes," Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler, however, added that he ultimately bears "full responsibility" as the leader of his country.

Days before the anniversary of the killing of Khashoggi in a Saudi consulate in Turkey, the crown prince said, "Absolutely not," when asked if he ordered the murder.

"Since it was committed by individuals working for the Saudi government. This was a mistake. And I must take all actions to avoid such a thing in the future," the crown prince added.

Asked about how the killing could have happened without him knowing about it," the crown prince said, "Some think that I should know what 3 million people working for the Saudi government do daily. It's impossible that the 3 million would send their daily reports to the leader or the second-highest person in the Saudi government."

Watch: MBS denies killing journalist Jamal Khashoggi

He insisted that "the investigations are being carried out, and once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made."

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, where he was to receive papers ahead of his wedding. His body was dismembered and removed from the building, according to reports, and his remains have not been found.

(With inputs from Reuters)