Saudi public prosecutor Saud Al Mojeb
Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor held talks overnight with Turkish intelligence officials over the investigation into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Demirören news agency said.
It said Saud Al Mojeb left his hotel shortly after midnight and went to the Istanbul regional offices of Turkey's National Intelligence Agency (MIT). It did not say how long he stayed there before returning to his hotel.
Khashoggi's death has escalated into a crisis for the world's top oil exporter, which at first denied any knowledge of, or role in, his disappearance four weeks ago.
United Nations (UN) called for an independent and impartial investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said that international experts should be involved to investigate the Khashoggi murder and urged Saudi authorities to reveal the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body without any delay.In a statement, Bachelet described the Khashoggi murder as “shockingly brazen crime.”"For an investigation to be carried out free of any appearance of political considerations, the involvement of international experts, with full access to evidence and witnesses, would be highly desirable," she said."Forensic examination, including an autopsy on the body of the victim is a crucial element in any investigation into a killing, and I urge the Saudi authorities to reveal the whereabouts of his body without further delay or prevarication," she added.UK foreign secretary: I was unaware of Khashoggi plotBachelet said she is pleased with the Turkish and Saudi authorities' efforts in investigating the murder."I welcome the steps taken by Turkish and Saudi authorities to investigate and prosecute the alleged perpetrators of Mr. Khashoggi’s murder," Bachelet stated."But given the information that high-level officials in Saudi Arabia were apparently involved, and it took place in the Consulate of Saudi Arabia, the bar must be set very high to ensure meaningful accountability and justice for such a shockingly brazen crime against a journalist and Government critic," she remarked.Bachelet added that the full truth must be uncovered and offenders should pay the price.Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post, went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.After weeks of denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, on Oct. 20 Saudi officials admitted that the journalist had died inside the consulate building.Erdoğan says Turkish prosecutor asked Saudi counterpart who sent Khashoggi's killers
UN calls for impartial probe into Khashoggi’s killing
Last week Mojeb contradicted previous Saudi statements, saying Khashoggi's killing was premeditated. Riyadh says it has arrested 18 suspects, including a team sent to Istanbul hours before Khashoggi's death, but has rejected Turkey's call for their extradition.
President Tayyip Erdoğan, who has demanded more information from Saudi Arabia, said on Tuesday Istanbul's chief prosecutor had asked Mojeb to disclose who sent the team from Riyadh which is suspected of involvement in the killing.
The killing of Khashoggi, a critic of de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has put into focus the West's close relationship with Saudi Arabia - a major arms buyer and lynchpin of Washington's regional plans to contain Iran.
The Washington Post said Tuesday it was still waiting for answers on the killing of its contributor Jamal Khashoggi and urged the U.S. Congress to impose sanctions on those responsible for the murder.Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for newspaper, went missing after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.After weeks of denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, Saudi officials admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a fist fight inside the consulate building.In an opinion piece, the Post's editorial board said what happened to Khashoggi's body remained "undisclosed". The board accused the Saudi government and its “de facto accomplices" in the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump of remaining silent instead of clarifying the questions about the murder.It said those behind the killing were hoping that "demands for accountability will fade away now that the story has been pushed from the front pages. That should not be allowed to happen".UK foreign secretary: I was unaware of Khashoggi plotErdoğan says Turkish prosecutor asked Saudi counterpart who sent Khashoggi's killersAccording to Turkish officials, Khashoggi was attacked the moment he entered the consulate, his fingers were severed, and he was injected with a drug before being dismembered by an autopsy specialist who arrived in Istanbul with a bone saw, wrote the board."What the Turks still don’t know has been publicly voiced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan: Where is Mr. Khashoggi’s body? And who ordered and oversaw this grisly operation?" it said."The Saudis know the answers to both those questions, and Mr. Trump might, too. Experts on Saudi Arabia are virtually unanimous in saying that such an audacious mission must have been known about, and most likely was ordered, by the kingdom’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman," it said.The board said that Congress should summon CIA Director Gina Haspel, who was in Turkey last week and briefed Trump, and other senior U.S. officials and determine what they know about the killing."Then it should take decisive action to impose sanctions on those responsible — including, if the available evidence points to him, Mohammed bin Salman — and reshape U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia," said the board.Erdoğan said 18 people arrested in Saudi Arabia for the killing should be extradited to Turkey to face trial, while Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said the kingdom would try the suspects after an investigation is completed.'Jamal Khashoggi deserves a dignified burial'Saudi prosecutor leaves consulate in Istanbul as Khashoggi probe continues
Washington Post awaits answers on Khashoggi murder