EU Foreign Policy Chief Calls For Comprehensive Investigation Into Saudi Journalist Murder

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st October, 2018) EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia admitted on Friday that Khashoggi died in a fight at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, after having denied any knowledge of his whereabouts for two weeks. Riyadh said 18 people had been already arrested over their involvement in the incident.

"The European Union, like its partners, insists on the need for continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it. The memory of Jamal Khashoggi, the family of the journalist as well as his friends deserve justice," Mogherini said in a Saturday declaration, as quoted by the EU Council.

Mogherini expressed condolences to Khashoggi's family and friends as well as paid tribute to the memory of the murdered journalist.

"The emerging circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi's death are deeply troubling, including the shocking violation of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and particularly its Article 55," the EU foreign policy chief added.

Khashoggi, who has been working for The Washington Post newspaper as a columnist and known for his criticism of Saudi authorities, went missing in Istanbul on October 2 after he entered the Saudi consulate and never came out. The incident caused a significant public outcry in Turkey as well as many Western countries.