Erdogan calls on Saudi prosecutor to find out who ordered Khashoggi murder

The Turkish President has called on Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor to find out who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Source: AAP

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called on Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor to find out who ordered the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and not spare "certain people" in his investigation.

"Who sent these 15 people? As Saudi public prosecutor, you have to ask that question, so you can reveal it," Erdogan said, referring to the 15-man team suspected of being behind the hit.

"Now we have to solve this case. No need to prevaricate, it makes no sense to try to save certain people," he told reporters in Ankara.

Saudi Arabia's chief prosecutor on Tuesday visited the consulate in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi was murdered.
The head of the Saudi investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb.
The head of the Saudi investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb. Source: AAP
The head of the Saudi investigation, Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb, who last week acknowledged that the killing was "premeditated", did not make a statement as he arrived at the diplomatic compound.

Earlier in the day he met Istanbul chief prosecutor Irfan Fidan for the second time.

On Monday, Mojeb had asked to be given the full findings of the Turkish investigation, including all images and audio recordings, Turkish broadcaster TRT reported.

The Turkish investigators rejected the request, TRT said, instead calling on the Saudi prosecutor to reveal information about the location of Khashoggi's body, which has not yet been found.

They also repeated President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call for the 18 suspects arrested by Saudi Arabia over the murder be sent to Turkey for trial, according to TRT. Riyadh has refused the request.

The case has sparked a PR crisis for the oil-rich Gulf nation, which is seeking to draw a line under the case as Western powers demand answers.
The residence of the Saudi consul cordoned off by Turkish police in Istanbul.
The residence of the Saudi consul cordoned off by Turkish police in Istanbul. Source: Getty
Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor who had criticised Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has not been seen after entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz.

On Monday she hit out at the US President Donald Trump's response to the murder, saying he must not let Riyadh cover up the killing.

"I am extremely disappointed by the stance of the leadership of many countries, particularly in the US," she told a memorial event in London.

She said she believed the Saudi regime knew where Khashoggi's body was, and called for the "evil criminals and their cowardly political masters" to be held to account.

Trump has called the case "one of the worst cover-ups in history", but warned against halting a Saudi arms deal to increase the pressure, saying it would harm US jobs.


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3 min read
Published 30 October 2018 10:48pm
Source: AFP


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