Iran Press/Middle East: In an exclusive interview with Fox News, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister offered his condolences on Sunday to the family of a Washington Post columnist killed in the country’s consulate in Turkey almost three weeks ago, but offered no new information on how Jamal Khashoggi was killed or if the country’s crown prince was involved.
Adel Al-Jubeir said that the country is currently investigating Khashoggi’s death and that the 18 people implicated in his slaying would be punished appropriately.
“The individuals did this out of the scope of their authority,” he said, adding that none of those involved in Khashoggi’s death had close ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. “There were not people closely tied to him. This was an operation that was a rogue operation.”
Al-Jubeir noted that the investigation was still in its early stages and said that Saudi officials currently don’t know the exact cause of Khashoggi’s death or where his remains are.
“When you have a situation like this, you want the information you put out to be as accurate as possible,” he added.
Saudi authorities admitted that Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, died in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul after a fistfight with officials there. That explanation has sparked allegations of a cover-up intended to shield the powerful crown prince.
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Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi killed in its consulate
Saudi Arabia said 18 Saudi suspects were in custody and intelligence officials had been fired. But critics believe the complex scheme that led to Khashoggi's death could not have occurred without the knowledge of bin Salman.
Meanwhile, the European Union has called the emerging details of Khashoggi's death "deeply troubling" and that a "continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation" is needed.
The EU said the continuing investigation should bring "proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it."
Also Turkey's president said on Sunday that he will reveal "naked truth" about the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday.
On the other hand, the UK, France and Germany in a joint statement condemned the killing of Khashoggi saying that nothing can justify his death.
Khashoggi's disappearance has evolved into a full-fledged international diplomatic crisis for the Saudi government, led by Bin Salman. Bin Salman cast himself as a progressive reformer, but the disappearance and possible murder of a critical voice against his government has thrown Bin Salman's relationship with foreign leaders and organizations into question.
The 59-year-old Saudi investigative journalist, who had left the country since Mohammad Bin Salman became Crown Prince of saudi Arabia, and moved to the US, vanished on 2 October after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to collect documents for his forthcoming marriage.
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Turkey reveals the "naked truth" about Khashoggi's killing: Erdogan
Three European countries condemn killing of Khashoggi
