Protesters hold candles and pictures of Jamal Khashoggi at the demonstration in front of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.(Photo: Erdem Sahin, EPA-EFE)

Saudi Arabia announced Thursday that it would seek the death penalty for five suspects among the 11 accused in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

The prosecutor of the kingdom announced this news at a press conference in Riyadh.

Saud Al-Mojeb said that the highest official responsible for killing Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 is Ahmad al-Assiri, a former intelligence chief.

Al-Assiri was arrested and fired for ordering Khashoggi's forced return to Saudi Arabia, an operation that Riyadh tried to characterize as a botched rendition by dishonest agents. Al-Mojeb did not say whether Al-Assiri was facing the death penalty. He added that 21 people are in detention and 11 have been charged as part of the case.

Turkey has audio evidence that proves the Washington Post The badbadination of a columnist was sanctioned at the highest level in Saudi Arabia, probably in coordination with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, de facto leader of the country and close ally of the United States.

On Monday, Canadian Justin Trudeau became the first Western leader to confirm that Turkey had released this evidence to intelligence agencies in other countries. President Donald Trump acknowledged his existence but did not specify when he heard it.

The recording was shared last month with the group C.I.A. Director Gina Haspel.

More: A White House aide, Bolton, said that Jamal Khashoggi's audio did not involve the Saudi Crown Prince, MBS

Al-Mojeb, however, did not answer this question and only asked the Turkish authorities to disclose additional information about their investigation. He added that Khashoggi's killers had drugged and killed the writer inside the consulate before dismembering the body and handing it over to an unidentified local collaborator.

Following the remarks of Al-Mojeb, Turkey issued a statement urging Saudi Arabia to reveal the identity of the author of Khashoggi's badbadination. He also called the prosecutor's comments "unsatisfactory" and insisted that the suspects be extradited to Turkey for trial.

The remains of Khashoggi were not found more than a month after he entered the consulate to obtain the necessary legal documents to marry his Turkish bride.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said he had been insisting on the Saudis for answers and that he had told Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman that "the United States would demand that all the perpetrators of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi are held responsible ". The Trump administration also appeared to want to preserve its relations with the Saudi rulers despite this case.

More: Report: Saudis discussed the killing of other enemies long before Khashoggi's death

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