EU wants probe into Saudi journalist’s death to continue

A view of Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 20, 2018. AP

ISTANBUL — The European Union says the emerging details of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s death are “deeply troubling” and that a “continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation” is needed.

Saudi authorities have said Khashoggi died in a “brawl” with Saudi officials at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, the latest in a series of conflicting explanations for his death. Turkish officials suspect a team of Saudi agents was sent to assassinate him.

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 Mohammed bin Salman, the country’s powerful 33-year-old crown prince.

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.”

President Donald Trump says he needs to learn more about the killing of a Saudi journalist and will be working with Congress on the U.S. response.

Speaking late Saturday after a campaign rally in Nevada, he said he will be talking to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman soon.

Saudi authorities announced 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.

Trump initially said he believed the Saudi account, but on Saturday he said he still does not know where Khashoggi’s body is.

Trump said: “We’d like to find out where it is and what happened… And I think we’re inching our way there.” /ee