Berlin summons Saudi ambassador over murdering journo

TEHRAN(defapress)– Germany's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Germany to discuss the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, Reuters says.

News ID: 73241

Date: 23 October 2018 - 14:03

A spokeswoman for German Foreign Ministry said at a news conference on Monday, “A conversation is planned at the foreign ministry shortly […] to discuss fallout from the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced in a joint statement with Foreign Minister of Germany Heiko Maas Saudi Arabia's explanation of the journalist's mysterious death is not enough and Riyadh must 'hold to account those responsible for the Washington Post columnist's death.'

During a TV-broadcasted interview, Mass said Germany will freezes arms sales to Saudi Arabia until investigations into murdering Saudi dissident journalist is completed.

Germany has also called on the European Union to stop arms exports to Riyadh.

Murdering the prominent journalist has drawn fire from around the globe particularly across the political spectrum.

Since the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October second, political figures have voiced deep concern over the issue. Following Saudi Arabia admitted in a statement released on October 20th the prominent journalist was killed inside the consulate, global pressure on Riyadh mounted to provide a transparent account of the issue.

However, the US president Donald Trump who had at first said a 'severe punishment' awaits Saudi Arabia in case it turns out Khashoggi was killed inside Saudi consulate, has now softened his stance, making efforts to exonerate the brutal regime.

Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October second to collect documents for his forthcoming marriage, but his Turkish fiancée who was expecting him in front of the consulate never saw him again.

After 18 days of silence and rejecting claims that Khashoggi was killed, the Saudi government finally bowed down to international pressure on October 20th and claimed the prominent journalist was killed in a fist-fight inside Istanbul consulate.

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