Khashoggi’s fiancée appears at absent Saudis’ trial

ISTANBUL: The fiancée of Jamal Khashoggi told a Turkish court yesterday that the Washington Post columnist was lured to his death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul through “a great betrayal and deception” and she asked that all those responsible for his killing be brought to justice.

Hatice Cengiz spoke at the opening of the trial in absentia of two former aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and 18 other Saudi nationals who were charged in Turkey for Khashoggi’s slaying. The journalist’s killing at the consulate sparked international condemnation and cast a cloud of suspicion over the prince.

The 20 Saudi defendants left Turkey and Saudi Arabia rejected Turkish demands for their extradition. Some of the men were put on trial in Riyadh behind closed doors. The proceedings were criticised as a whitewash. Khashoggi’s family later announced they had forgiven his killers.

The trial in Turkey is being closely watched for new information or evidence, including the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains.

Khashoggi, who was a US resident, had walked into his country’s consulate on Octber 2, 2018, for an appointment to pick up documents that would allow him to marry his Turkish fiancee. He never walked out. The trial was adjourned until November 24. | AP