Turkey initiates international probe into Khashoggi death

Ankara is preparing to take steps to launch an international investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said.

"There are Western countries trying to cover this case up. I know the reasons. We know and see what sorts of deals are made. We see how those who spoke of freedom of press are now covering this up after seeing money," Anadolu Agency cited the minister as saying.

"We, however, will go until the end. We made preparations for an international investigation in the coming days and we will take the necessary steps," Cavusoglu added.

The Washington Post columnist, Jamal Khashoggi, who wrote critically about the Saudi crown prince, was killed inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in October, 2018. The kingdom has indicted 11 people, including some from the prince’s entourage, over the killing and is seeking the death penalty against five of them.

Turkey has complained of a lack of cooperation by Riyadh to ensure that all those responsible are held to account and has said it could seek an international probe.