Rights group calls on Saudi Arabia to "produce immediately" Jamal Khashoggi's body

ISTANBUL – According to Amnesty International, Saudi Arabia should "produce immediately" the body of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi so that forensic experts of independence can conduct an autopsy in accordance with international standards.

The human rights group launched the appeal on Saturday after Saudi Arabia told the Washington Post columnist killed in a fist fight in the consulate of the kingdom in Istanbul – a reversal of previous Saudi claims that he knew nothing of the fate of Khashoggi. The writer disappeared after entering the consulate on 2 October.

Samah Hadid, director of campaigns for the Middle East for Amnesty International, said in a statement that the Saudi version of the events could not be trusted and that any official, regardless of rank or status, should be brought to justice.

Hadid said that an independent investigation ordered by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres would be necessary to avoid a "Saudi blunder" of the circumstances surrounding the killing or any attempts by other governments to "sweep the record under the rug to preserve lucrative arms deals and other business. " links with Riyadh. "

"The world needs to know what happened to Khashoggi," he wrote in a statement calling for action.

Khashoggi, a prominent journalist and royal court insider for decades in Saudi Arabia, had written articles criticizing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the kingdom's guidelines while living in voluntary exile in the United States. interview with CBSN Last year, he criticized the behavior of princes in foreign policy, the "impulsive" caller.

On October 2, he disappeared after going to the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his next marriage.

Turkey is conducting its own investigation into his assassination and has promised to publish his findings once the investigation is completed.

Saudi Arabia said 18 suspects were in detention and intelligence agents were fired. President Donald Trump on Friday called the announcement a "good first step" and said he would work with Congress to get a response from the United States.

When a reporter asked him if he thought Saudi Arabia's explanation of Khashoggi's death was credible, Mr. Trump said, "Yes, I want it." But he said that before deciding what to do, he wanted to talk to the crown prince.

"Saudi Arabia has been an excellent ally, but what has happened is unacceptable," said Trump.

In a statement on Friday night, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said the United States would closely monitor international investigations into Khashoggi's death and advocate for "speedy, transparent and consistent justice". procedures. "