Saudi Explanation Of Khashoggi Death Not Credible - UK Brexit Secretary

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 21st October, 2018) The explanation by Saudi authorities of the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its consulate in Istanbul is not credible but the United Kingdom is not going to end its relationship with Riyadh, UK Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab said on Sunday.

After denying any knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts for two weeks, Saudi Arabia said the journalist died in a fistfight inside the consulate.

"I don't think it is credible. We support the Turkish investigation and the British government will want to see people held to account for that death," Raab said in an interview with the BBC broadcaster.

Raab stressed that London was not going to end its relations with Riyadh "not just because of the huge number of British jobs that depend on it but also because if you exert influence over your partners you need to be able to talk to them.

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Some other European leaders as well as the United Nations, have called for transparent investigation into the journalist's death.

Speaking to reporters after Nevada rally on Saturday, US President Donald Trump said that he would not be satisfied "until we find the answer."

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.

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.