shot-button
Ganesh Chaturthi Ganesh Chaturthi
Home > News > World News > Article > 20 Saudis on trial in absentia over Khashoggi murder case

20 Saudis on trial in absentia over Khashoggi murder case

Updated on: 05 July,2020 05:25 AM IST  |  Ankara
Agencies |

Khashoggis Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, was one of those who testified at the opening session on Friday, reports the BBC

20 Saudis on trial in absentia over Khashoggi murder case

Hatice Cengiz, journalist Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee. Pic/AFP

Twenty Saudi nationals have gone on trial in absentia in Turkey for the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was a prominent critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.


Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, was one of those who testified at the opening session on Friday, reports the BBC.


Cengiz later told journalists gathered outside the courtroom that she found the process spiritually and psychologically debilitating.


She expressed confidence in the Turkish judicial system and declared: "Our search for justice will continue in Turkey as well as in everywhere we can." The defendants at Friday's hearing include two former aides to the prince, who denies involvement.

Another witness who gave evidence was Zeki Demir, a Turkish citizen who worked as a handyman at the Saudi consulate.

Demir told the court that he was called to the consul general's residence on the day Khashoggi disappeared and asked to light an oven used for barbecues. "There were five to six people there," the BBC quoted Demir as saying.

"There was an air of panic... It was as if they wanted me to leave as soon as possible," he said, adding that he returned to the residence a few days later and noticed how the marble around the oven had been bleached.

The next hearing will take place on November 24. The 59-year-old journalist, who went into self-imposed exile in the US in 2017, was last seen entering the Saudi consulate on October 2, 2018 to obtain papers he needed to marry Cengiz.

The Saudi government said the journalist was killed in a "rogue operation" by a team of agents, the BBC reported.

Saudi Arabia, which rejected Turkey's extradition request, convicted eight people over the murder last year.

Five were sentenced to death for directly participating in the killing, while three others were handed prison sentences for covering up the crime. The journalist's remains were never found.

Catch up on all the latest Crime, National, International and Hatke news here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates.

Mid-Day is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@middayinfomedialtd) and stay updated with the latest news

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK