Turkey slams Saudi official for objecting int’l probe into Khashoggi murder

ANKARA

Turkish Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun has criticized the head of the Saudi human rights committee for his resistance to an international probe into the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“We are deeply concerned about the objection of Bandar bin Mohammed Al Aiban, the head of the Saudi human rights committee, to an international investigation into the Jamal Khashoggi murder,” Altun said in a statement on March 14.

“We find it difficult to understand why an official working in the area of human rights would possibly be unsettled by efforts to shed light on all aspects of the Khashoggi murder, which received a global response. We would like to assume that Mr. Al Aiban’s remarks reflected his personal views rather than the official position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia – our friend and kin,” he said.

Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and contributor for The Post, was brutally murdered inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last October shortly after he entered the diplomatic facility. Riyadh initially denied any role in the killing but has since sought to blame his death on a botched rendition operation carried out by rogue agents.

“It should go without saying that shedding light on the incident and bringing to justice all murderers and instigators is a requirement under our international order and a guarantee of the Kingdom’s international reputation,” said Altun.
“This incident must be investigated without being politicized, with an eye on nothing but the cause of justice, and to the last detail.”

The body of Khashoggi was likely burned in a large oven at the Saudi consulate general’s residence in Istanbul, according to Turkey’s investigation.

Turkey will continue to serve the cause of justice until Khashoggi’s body is found, the local collaborators are identified, and those who ordered the hit are revealed, Altun said.

“We urge Saudi Arabia to tell the world which individuals are currently on trial on what charge(s) in order not to raise any questions about the sincerity of the judicial proceedings in the Kingdom in the international community’s mind.”