Prosecutor responds to motion to terminate Turkish court previously followed by a request from Saudi Arabia in March, according to Erol Onderoglu, Turkish representative for Reporters Without Borders who attended the hearing in but criminal court in Istanbul. The court referred the case to the Ministry of Turkey of Justice, he said.
Faced with economic challenges, including a weak currency and skyrocketing growth cost of while living, Turkey sought to improve relations with Saudi Arabia in recent months.
If the ministry approves, “it will have dire consequences.” for idea of justice”, – said Onderoglu. All the defendants will be brought to trial in in absentia and are considered in Saudi Arabia.
The actions of the prosecutor’s office represent a significant turn in government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the days and months after the murder of Erdogan, who considered Khashoggi a friend, played leading role in involvement of Saudi Arabia and its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in in killing.
Turkey releases recordings, CCTV footage and more material which revealed team of Saudi operatives went to Istanbul and waited in consulate of saudi arabia for Khashoggi who was the lead columnist for Washington Post. The operatives then killed and dismembered him. His remains have never been found.
liberation of turkey of evidence – and Erdogan’s frank disgust for killing – spurred international outrage in saudi arabia for time. Recently, when Turkey economy fought with inflation exceeds 50 percentErdogan sought to improve relations with kingdom, and different countries in Middle East.
Trial in Turkey was seen by some as symbolic as the defendants were absent. But the trial took place in public, with witness statements, in a sharp contrast to the test that was carried out out behind closed doors in Saudi Arabia, Onderoglu said.
But in recent months he added it was clear that Turkey was no longer interested in case management. The court refused to accept as evidence a US intelligence report that found Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has ‘approved’ the operation that led to Khashoggi’s death. death.
“The recent diplomatic rapprochement between Turkey and Saudi Arabia has reinforced our doubts. in Search for justice in Turkey,” Onderoglu said, adding that “international community” It was also reluctantly pursue accountability.
Thursday in court prosecutors noted the missing defendants and stated that attempts to prosecute them through Interpol were fruitless, Onderoglu said. Turkish officials have repeatedly denied that the judiciary is subject to government pressure. That next a hearing is scheduled for April 7th.
Saudi Arabia said in September 2020 that he condemned eight people for in killing but did not name them. Saudi officials deny crown prince ordered Khashoggi murder.
Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi’s fiancee, also attended the hearing on Thursday. IN message posted on Twitter then, she wrote about decision facing Turkish Ministry of Justice “demonstrates a dilemma facing humanity in modern era.”
“Which the of shall we choose two? she wrote. “TO want to live like virtuous person or build life by holding material interests above all else of values. #justiceforjamal”.
Zeynep Karatas contributed to this report.
