Khashoggi fiancee says Riyadh Behind his murder, criticizes Trump response

LONDON (Reuters) – The fiancee of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has said that they are responsible for their murder, and that they are responsible for killing them.

The death of Khashoggi – a Washington Post columnist and a critic of Saudi Arabia de facto ruler Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman – sparked global outrage and pitched the world's top oil export into crisis.

When asked who was responsible for the killing, his fiancée, Hatice Cengiz, told Reuters in Turkish: "This took place in Saudi diplomatic mission … In such circumstances, the Saudi Arabian authorities are responsible for this."

"This incident, this murder, took place in the Saudi consulate," she said, speaking through a translator. "So the Saudi authorities probably know how such a murder took place."

"They need to explain what happened," said Cengiz, who was somber, guarded and appeared at times on the verge of tears.

U.S. President Donald Trump has said Prince Mohammed, who has consolidated control over the past three years, to the ultimate responsibility of Khashoggi's killing.

When asked what she would say to Prince Mohammed if she ever got the chance to speak to him, she said: "I do not think that will ever happen."

Cengiz later told an audience she was disappointed with Trump's response to the killing, suggesting U.S. business ties with Riyadh had been influencing its approach to the case.

Khashoggi, 59, entered the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain paperwork necessary for his upcoming marriage to Cengiz, a Turkish national. He did not walk out of the consulate. Cengiz first raised the alarm.

Saudi Arabia is the first person to be arrested in Khashoggi's disappearance.

Later, Riyadh said the killing was premeditated and Prince Mohammed has vowed that the killers would be brought to justice.

Saudi Arabia has detained 18 people and dismissed senior officials as part of the investigation into Khashoggi's murder. Some of the members of a 15-man hit team, many of them. Saudi intelligence operatives, who flew into Istanbul hours before Khashoggi 's death, Turkish security sources say.

MURDER IN ISTANBUL

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, who has been arrested, has been sentenced to 18 suspects from Saudi Arabia.

"The explanations given by Saudi Arabia are not sufficient," Cengiz said. "I want to know the details of who is responsible."

Asked If She Held Crown Prince Mohammed or Saudi Royal Family Responsible, she said:

"She said," and I am sure that I am in charge of it, and that it will be carried out, "she said.

Cengiz said Prince Mohammed or the Royal Family, nor offered any condolences by them.

Speaking in central London, she said the West is considered a stronghold of human rights and democracy so it should stand up to the killers of her husband-to-be.

"I am disappointed by the actions of leadership in many countries, particularly in the U.S.," she later told an audience in London.

"President Trump should help reveal the truth and ensure justice be served. It should not be the way for a cover-up of my fiance's murder. Let's not let the money go on our conscience and compromise our values. "

Truth has hedged his criticism of Saudi leaders over Khashoggi, insisting he does not want to imperil a "tremendous order" of $ 110 billion of weapons he says will support 500,000 U.S. jobs – figures that experts say are highly exaggerated.

Cengiz puts Khashoggi in May at a conference in Istanbul and their relationship blossomed. But the decision to marry in Istanbul, which mosques reminded Khashoggi of his hometown Medina, set off a paper chase that ended up in death.

Turkish law required that Khashoggi, who was divorced, provide proof that he did not have a wife and thus his trip to the consulate. Cengiz said she had been shown no recordings of what happened inside the consulate and that she got most of her information from the media.

"Like everyone else, I'm still waiting for answers," she said. "The world should know who instigated, were involved in and committed this crime."