Many questions in Khashoggi case remain open: Germany

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN (AA) - Despite the first indictments in Saudi probe, many questions remain unanswered in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Germany’s Foreign Ministry said on Friday.

Speaking at a news conference in Berlin, Christofer Burger, deputy spokesman for Foreign Ministry, said Germany was still waiting for a full disclosure and accountability from Saudi Arabia.

“There has been some developments yesterday. That was a first step. However, many questions remain open, as it has been before,” he said.

The Saudi public prosecutor's office announced on Thursday that 11 suspects had been indicted for murdering Khashoggi inside Saudi Arabia’s Istanbul Consulate. It called for death penalty against five suspects.

The prosecutors absolved Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of any blame for the murder.

Burger underlined that Germany expected a full and transparent investigation in line with the international standards.

“The murder of Khashoggi must be completely and thoroughly investigated. We expect that those responsible for the killing would be held accountable,” he added.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

After weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted that Khashoggi had been killed at the consulate but claimed that the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of a plot to murder him.

So far, 21 people, including security officers, have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in connection with the murder.