Mohammed bin Salman denies personal involvement in Khashoggi killing in '60 Minutes' interview but says it was carried out by Saudi officials

"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."

Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist, was killed and dismembered after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, but Saudi officials later claimed a group of rogue operators -- many of whom belong to the Saudi crown prince's inner circle --- were responsible for the journalist's death.

Bin Salman said he takes responsibility for the crime because it was "committed against a Saudi citizen by officials working for the Saudi government" and "as a leader I must take responsibility."

But the crown prince insisted he knew nothing about the operation, saying it's impossible for "3 million people working for the Saudi government" to send daily reports to the leader "or the second highest person in the Saudi government."

Some of bin Salman's closest aides have been blamed for Khashoggi's killing. Five high-ranking officials were dismissed and another 18 were detained over the journalist's death.

He said an investigation is being carried out and "once charges are proven against someone, regardless of their rank, it will be taken to court, no exception made."

Khashoggi's body has not been found.

The CIA concluded that the crown prince personally ordered Khashoggi's murder. A United Nations independent investigator released a report in June that said there is credible evidence the crown prince bears responsibility for Khashoggi's death. The foreign minister for Saudi Arabia later called the report "flawed."

CNN's Nic Robertson contributed to this report.

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