Top prosecutors discuss Khashoggi killing probe

ISTANBUL: Top Saudi and Turkish prosecutors on Monday discussed the investigation into the killing of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi, a show of cooperation amid Turkish demands that Saudi Arabia turn over 18 detained suspects for a murder trial.

Saudi Arabia’s top prosecutor, Saud Al Mojeb, met Istanbul’s chief public prosecutor, Irfan Fidan, for an hour and 15 minutes at Istanbul’s main courthouse, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu news agency said.

Mojeb, who last week acknowledged that the killing was “premeditated” based on Turkish evidence, arrived in Istanbul early on Monday and is expected to inspect the Saudi consulate where Khashoggi was killed.

The two countries have announced a joint investigation of the journalist’s killing in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul.

Turkey says a trial in Turkey would be transparent.

Turkey’s Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday welcomed the cooperation between Turkish and Saudi investigators and said he hoped there would be no further delays.

“The investigation should be concluded as soon as possible,” Cavusoglu said. “The whole world is curious. All the truth should be revealed.”

Cavusoglu said there was “an advantage in our prosecutors sharing information and working together.”

“The cooperation must continue, but it must not be drawn out or turned into a diversion. The investigation must be completed as soon as possible, so that the whole truth is revealed,” he told a press conference in Istanbul.

Asked about the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body, which remain a mystery nearly a month after his death, Cavusoglu said that “as those who committed the murder are in Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia has a very large responsibility.”

Turkey has been pushing Saudi Arabia to help locate Khashoggi’s body, which has not been found.

Turkey is seeking the extradition of the Saudi suspects detained for the killing, which happened after Khashoggi entered the consulate on Oct.2. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, however, says the kingdom will try the perpetrators and bring them to justice after the investigation is completed.

SAUDI oficials CHARACTERISE THE killing as a rogue operation carried out by Saudi agents who exceeded their authority.