Turkey has on Friday detained two United Arab Emirates (UAE) based intelligence operatives for allegedly spying Saudi Arabia over its role in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi last year on October 2 in Saudi consulate of Istanbul.
The suspects were later transferred to court over the charges of international, political and military espionage. The Sabha newspaper has reported that one of the detained suspects had been constantly in contact with a person who is connected with Khashoggi’s murder.
According to ANI news reports, Turkey and the United States have alleged that Khashoggi’s murder was couped by Saudi Arabia crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MbS.
Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of MbS and The Washington Post journalist, was killed last year in Saudi consulate of Istanbul on October 2. After several investigations, the CIA assessments alleged that MbS had ordered the killing.
However, Saudi Arabia has reiterated its refusal to such allegations leveled against the crown prince, adding the nation is committed to bringing justice to Khashoggi’s murder perpetrators.
United Nations investigator Agnes Callamard has said on Thursday the probe into the killing of Khashoggi should not be ended until the final reports were being released in the coming weeks.
UN investigator Callamard, who is leading the investigation into Khashoggi’s murder, is slated to release her reports to the UN human rights council before the beginning of the next session in June.
Callamard to Al-Jazeera on Thursday: “My report is … going to spend a lot of time and pages on the next steps and the recommendations and how we provide accountability to Mr. Khashoggi, to his family, friends, and colleagues.”
The Saudi Arabi public prosecutors have also indicted 11 suspects in the matter in November, including five suspects who could reportedly face death penalty charges over ordering and conducting the killing.
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