Turkey to Recommend Transfer of Khashoggi Trial to Saudi Arabia

APR 1 2022·Updated DEC 26 2022

Story

Image credit: Getty Images [via NCB News]

The Facts

Turkey's justice minister announced on Fri. that the government would recommend transferring the trial of 26 Saudi suspects charged with the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia.
NBC
A Turkish prosecutor called for the in absentia trial to be halted and transferred, at the request of Saudi Arabia. The move raises concerns about a possible cover-up.
ABC News
Khashoggi, who wrote critically of Saudi Arabia's crown prince, disappeared in Oct. 2018 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
ABC News
His body was never recovered, however. Turkish authorities and US intelligence allege that he was murdered by a team of Saudi agents at the request of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
CNN
The killing and accusations led to tension between the two regional powers, and an unofficial Saudi boycott of Turkish goods. The request to transfer comes as Ankara and Riyadh attempt to mend ties.
Al Jazeera
The court is expected to rule on the request in the coming hearing on Apr. 7.
Al Jazeera

Sources Split

LEFT

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RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This is a dishonor to Khashoggi, and means that the trial will be delivered straight into the bloody hands of the perpetrators, where the crime will only be covered up. It's a spineless attempt to repair relations with Saudi Arabia at the expense of justice.

wapo

Narrative B

The killing of Khashoggi is a crime that tainted all Saudis and is inappropriately being used as a political tool to further push existing prejudices. The US intelligence report, which was nothing more than an assessment, is being unfairly treated as incriminating evidence. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Saudigazette

Narrative C

This case isn't just about the death of one man. The killing of Khashoggi, a well-known and respected journalist, highlights the importance of freedom of the press and the lack of this freedom in so many instances. Justice for Khashoggi is an international human rights issue, impacting all of us.