Turkish prosecutor calls for transfer of Khashoggi trial to Riyadh
The call to discontinue the case against 26 defendants in killing of the Saudi journalist comes as Turkey is working to improve relations with rivals across the Arab world
ISTANBUL — A Turkish prosecutor on Thursday called for the trial of suspects in the killing of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi to be halted, in a move widely assumed to be linked to Ankara’s bid to restore ties with Saudi Arabia.
The court was asked to suspend the trial in absentia of 26 Saudis accused of involvement in the 2018 murder of the Washington Post writer at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
The prosecution lawyer also requested the case be transferred to the Saudi authorities, who have previously refused to extradite the suspects. The court said it would seek advice from the Turkish Ministry of Justice and set the next hearing for April 7.
The killing of Khashoggi caused worldwide outrage and blackened the reputation of Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, whom US intelligence said had likely ordered the assassination. The prince, known as MBS, has denied any involvement.
