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 with 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.
The two countries have announced a joint investigation of the journalist’s killing in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Monday Saudi and Turkish prosecutors sharing information on the investigation is useful, adding that the cooperation should continue. He made the comments during a news conference with Azeri and Georgian foreign ministers.
Turkey is seeking the extradition of the Saudi suspects detained for the killing. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir, however, said the kingdom will try the perpetrators and bring them to justice after the investigation is completed.
Al Mojeb is leading his government’s probe into the death of Khashoggi - a Washington Post contributing columnist. Saudi officials said that a 15-member hit team killed Khashoggi.
Al Mojeb said Friday that the information he received from Turkish investigators suggested the killing was premeditated.
His visit came as US Defence Secretary Jim Mattis said Sunday that he had he received assurances from Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat that the kingdom would conduct a full and complete investigation.
The Trump administration has made the kingdom a linchpin in its strategy in the Middle East, which includes countering Iran, brokering a peace deal between Israel and the Palestinians and ending the wars in Yemen and Syria.
