Justice still elusive 100 days since Khashoggi killing

By Muhammed Seyh and Suheyb Kalalve

ISTANBUL

One-hundred days after Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's brutal murder in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, political experts argue the case should be taken to the international level to shed light on the killing, and perpetrators and decision-makers should be brought to justice.

Khashoggi, regarded as one of the most influential journalists in the Middle East, went to the Saudi diplomatic building Oct. 2 to arrange his marriage. He was, however, killed there, leaving many questions that still haven't been answered.

Riyadh officially confessed to the murder 18 days after it occurred but the Kingdom has not made any statements on the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body.

The Turkish capital has used every means available to bring those responsible to justice, maintaining international pressure. Saudi Arabia, on the other hand, made contradictory statements on the killing. It later announced that Khashoggi was killed "in a brawl" that occurred in the Consulate General.

Saudi Arabia announced the kill order was taken by the head of the negotiation team, without revealing a name. Moreover, Saudi officials stated that 11 of 21 suspects, arrested for their affiliation with the murder, were charged.

Despite the 100 days since the murder took place, Riyadh maintains an apprehensive attitude to revealing news information regarding the murder.

Political analysts and experts told Anadolu Agency that Turkey should continue pressuring in the international arena to ensure the murder is clarified and take the case to International Criminal Court (ICC).

Palestinian political analyst and journalist Maher Hijazi said Turkey should continue pressuring internationally to reveal the perpetrators and decision-makers of the kill order.

"That [murder] has been a real test for Turkey; she should get to the bottom of it to ensure justice," he said, noting that those accountable had to be punished otherwise it would lead to more aggression on journalists.

Bekir Atacan, a Syrian Turkmen analyst, said there were some international actors striving to covering up the murder.

"There are stories suggesting that some culprits affiliated with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are hiding. All these [indicators] show the necessity that Turkey should apply to ICC as soon as possible.

"Some countries are attempting to cover up evidence. That's because applying to ICC is not in their favor," he said, calling on Ankara to establish coordination with various countries.

Nazir el-Kenduri, an Iraqi researcher and writer, said the attitude of the U.S. President Donald Trump in defending bin Salman lost momentum and now was the best time to take the case to ICC.

Kenduri called on Turkey to take the case to the international level. He added that it was a necessity to get the approval of the UN Security Council so that it could be taken to international level.

"It is absolutely necessary to take this case to the international level so that such crimes wouldn't be repeated. [Killing] shouldn't be taken as a crime concerning only Istanbul," he said, adding that he saluted Turkey's stance since the beginning of the incident.

Syrian journalist Ahmad Qamil, a member of Jamal Khashoggi Friends Association, said Turkey preferences had been in line with legal methods, and it would take some time to conclude the investigations.

Noting that Turkey should continue following the same path and inform the global community about the new findings, "This will force Saudi Arabia to admit all details. Turkey's investigation forced Saudi Arabia to confess that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate. The world knows the true murderers," he asserted.

Qamil called on Turkey to "take the case to the international level by cooperating with the Americans seeking the truth, especially under the shadow of the U.S. House of Representatives."

Referring to possible obstacles Ankara faced, "There are international efforts backed by the U.S. and Israel to hide the truth," he said.

Qamil underlined that Turkey had options such as internationalizing the issue, applying to UN and international human rights organizations.

"UN Security Council might not be useful. Although UN General Assembly is a more beneficial way, it is a long process. I believe the U.S. House of Representatives is the best option in this regard," he said.