Iran: World Response to Saudi Journo's Murder Late, But Strong

TEHRAN (defapress)- Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif criticized the international community for giving late reaction to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey, but meantime said the response was strong.

News ID: 73297

Date: 26 October 2018 - 15:48

"The global response to Saudi journalist's murder was late yet strong," Zarif said.

The Iranian foreign minister blasted Washington for being one of the main sponsors of the Saudi regime, and said, "These supports only increase the crimes of this regime and the rise of chaos in the region."

Khashoggi, known for his criticism of Saudi policies, had been working as a columnist for The Washington Post. The journalist was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Following more than two weeks of denials, Saudi Arabia admitted on Friday that the journalist had been killed in a brawl inside the consulate in Istanbul. According to Riyadh, 18 people have been arrested over their involvement in the incident. Turkey is conducting a separate investigation into the journalist's death.

On the day of Khashoggi’s disappearance, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while he was still inside, according to Turkish police sources. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday laid out his country’s initial findings in its investigation, saying Khashoggi's murder was "premeditated".

Erdogan said all information and evidence that has been uncovered showed Khashoggi was the victim of a brutal murder.

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