'I want to promote his values': Khashoggi fiancee

By Serife Cetin

BRUSSELS (AA) - The fiancee of a journalist killed last fall at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul paid a visit to the European Parliament Tuesday, championing the values of her late betrothed.

“I’m here not only as the fiancee of Jamal [Khashoggi] but also for the values he fought for, values he wanted for the people in his own country, the people of the Arab world,” Hatice Cengiz said during her visit to Brussels.

She added that she hopes her visit will help push for further sanctions on Saudi Arabia, which admits Khashoggi was killed at the consulate but denies any official involvement. International powers have been skeptical of the Saudi claims.

At a press conference with Cengiz, Pier Antonio Panzeri, an Italian MEP, said he is determined to clarify the facts of the killing, adding: “The European Parliament is not satisfied with the progress made up to now.”

He added that regardless of Europe’s trade ties with Riyadh, “We will not let Saudi Arabia get away with Khashoggi’s murder.”

On Oct. 2, Khashoggi was killed shortly after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul. Riyadh initially denied any role in the killing but has since sought to blame his death on a botched rendition operation by rogue agents.