Global outcry over Khashoggi killing 'hysterical', Saudi official says
The kingdom has said it will get to the bottom of the killing and will not extradite the suspects to Turkey.
Saturday 27 October 2018 13:13, UK
The international outcry over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has become "hysterical", a top Saudi official has said.
Foreign minister Adel al Jubeir said critics should wait until Riyadh has completed its investigation into the death before ascribing blame to the kingdom, which has denied a request by Turkey for the extradition of the suspects.
Prosecutors in Istanbul had wanted the 18 Saudi nationals to be "brought to justice" in the country where they are alleged to have killed The Washington Post columnist on 2 October.
But speaking to reporters at a high-level forum in Bahrain, Mr al Jubeir said: "On the issue of extradition, the individuals are Saudi nationals. They're detained in Saudi Arabia, and the investigation is in Saudi Arabia, and they will be prosecuted in Saudi Arabia."
He said that while the kingdom was determined to bring the perpetrators to justice, the global response to the death had "become fairly hysterical".
"Unfortunately, there has been this hysteria in the media about Saudi Arabia's guilt before the investigation is completed," he added.
"I think people have assigned blame on Saudi Arabia with such certainty before the investigation is complete."
He said the kingdom was certain that a "mistake was committed" in the killing of Mr Khashoggi, and that the people responsible had "exceeded their authority".
The kingdom initially said it knew nothing about what happened to Mr Khashoggi, who was a vocal critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, but then gradually changed its position.
On Thursday it said evidence shows that the killing was premeditated.
Five Saudi officials, including two who worked directly under the crown prince, have been relieved of their posts.
At the same Manama Dialogue event in Bahrain, US Defence Secretary James Mattis said the incident "undermines regional stability" and that the US was planning to take further action in response.
While he did not mention Saudi Arabia directly, he did acknowledge the Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had revoked visas of those implicated.
"With our collective interests in peace and unwavering respect for human rights in mind, the murder of Jamal Khashoggi in a diplomatic facility must concern us all," Gen Mattis said.
"Failure of any nation to adhere to international norms and the rule of law undermines regional stability at a time when it is needed most."
He added that he will continue to consult with President Donald Trump and Mr Pompeo as they consider the broader implications of the matter.
Last week, Mr Trump toughened his stance on Saudi Arabia and described the killing and subsequent changing narratives from Riyadh as part of "the worst cover-up in the history of cover-ups".
But while he has said he wants to get the bottom of the case, he has highlighted the role the Saudis play in the fight against terrorism and as a major purchaser of US arms.
Meanwhile, the crown prince has been assigned by his father, King Salman, to oversee the restructuring of Saudi intelligence bodies in the aftermath of the killing.