Moving Khashoggi’s case to Saudi Arabia raised fears of cover-up
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – As Turkey’s Justice Minister announced yesterday that his ministry would approve a request to transfer a trial over the killing of the Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, fears international outcry were raised of a possible cover-up of the killing.
The approval came a day after Turkish prosecutor requested the transfer, in line with a request from the kingdom [Saudi].
Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul four years ago grabbed headlines worldwide and strained ties between the two regional powers, leading to an unofficial Saudi boycott of Turkish goods.
Turkey’s trial in absentia of the Saudi suspects indicted over Khashoggi’s gruesome murder, including two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman (MBS), began in Istanbul in July 2020.
The Turkish decision raised fears of a possible cover up over the killing, which triggered international condemnation and raised suspicion over Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as Ankara seeks to mend ties with Riyadh.
Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard described the prosecutor’s request as “spineless”.
“Today is a dark day for those who have spent more three years campaigning for justice for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi,” Callamard said.
Erol Onderoglu, the Turkey representative for Reporters Without Borders said the prosecutor’s decision was “extremely disappointing”.
“Handing the case over to Saudi Arabia would be a serious blow to any remaining chance of criminal justice for Jamal Khashoggi’s killers,” Onderoglu said in a statement.
The move has Moving Khashoggi’s trial to Saudi Arabia would provide a diplomatic resolution to a dispute that exemplified the wider troubles between Ankara and the kingdom since the 2011 Arab Spring.