Iran Press/ America: A team of mercenaries created by bin Salman and named the "Tiger Squad" was sent to target Saad al-Jabri shortly after the October 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to the lawsuit filed in Washington D.C.
Jabri has lived in exile in Toronto, Canada, since 2017, when bin Salman ousted former Crown Prince Mohammed bin Nayef and took his post. Jabri is considered to have acted as bin Nayef's right-hand man, overseeing much of the kingdom's intelligence operations.
The former intelligence official has come under increasing pressure to return to the kingdom in recent months.
Saudi authorities accuse him of embezzling $11 million in state funds and have arrested two of his adult children and his brother in a bid to force him to return to Riyadh.
A 106-page civil lawsuit filed by Jabri's lawyers on Thursday describes how the crown prince, widely known by his initials MbS, sent a team of hitmen to Canada.
Jabri has been targeted by MbS due to his knowledge of the crown prince and close relationship with Washington, the lawsuit claims.
The lawsuit claims bin Salman presides over a personal hit squad named the "Tiger Squad" whose members also were involved in the killing of Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Members of the "Tiger Squad" flew to Toronto's Pearson Airport in October 2018, not long after Khashoggi's killing.
The team carried "bags of forensic tools" and included "forensic personnel experienced with the cleanup of crime scenes — including an instructor in the exact same criminal evidence department as the forensic specialist who dismembered Khashoggi with a bone saw", the lawsuit claims.
They attempted to enter the country on tourist visas but all except one, who held a diplomatic passport, were denied entry to Canada. Jabri claims Saudi authorities found his location in Canada through the use of a former colleague.
The assassination attempt failed but Jabri's lawyers say the former intelligence official is still in danger.
"Bin Salman now plans to send agents directly through the United States to enter Canada by land and, once and for all, eliminate Dr. Saad," the lawsuit claims.
In May, Human Rights Watch called on Riyadh to release Jabri's brother and children.
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