Erdogan seeks ‘justice’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday said that the “savage murder” of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul was meticulously planned, demanding that all those linked to the killing face punishment.
Erdogan had promised that his speech in Ankara would give the “naked truth” about the killing and he gave a host of new details while still saying Turkey wanted answers to key questions, including who gave the orders.
Hours before Erdogan delivered his speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, a major Saudi investment forum opened in Riyadh under the heavy shadow of the murder after key delegates pulled out.
The murder of the Washington Post contributor has severely dented the international reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has spearheaded a reform drive in the kingdom.
With international pressure mounting, Saudi Arabia’s cabinet on Tuesday said it would hold accountable all those behind the murder “no matter who they may be”.
Erdogan outlined the steps taken by what he said was a 15person team who came from Riyadh planning to kill Khashoggi, including carrying out reconnaissance outside Istanbul and then deactivating security cameras at the consulate.
He said that 18 suspects already detained by Saudi Arabia should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial over the killing and called for an investigation into those who have “even the slightest link” to the “savage murder”.
But Erdogan did not confirm or even mention some of the most striking claims that appeared in the Turkish press over the last days, notably that Khashoggi’s body was cut up into multiple pieces or that there is an audio recording of the murder.
The president himself admitted that several questions re- main unanswered.
“These (15) people, from whom did they get orders and came there? We are seeking answers,” he asked.
Taking aim at the inconsistent position of Riyadh in the days after the murder he added: “Why when the murder was clear, why were so many inconsistent statements made?” Erdogan did not mention Prince Mohammed by name in the speech. But he said he was confident of the full cooperation of his father Saudi King Salman in the probe and vowed full retribution for all the guilty. “The conscience of humanity will only be satisfied when those who ordered (the murder) and those who carried it out answer for their actions.”
Suspects detained by Saudis should be extradited to Istanbul for trial