UN journalists hail Turkish probe into Khashoggi murder

By Bayram Altug

GENEVA

Several journalists, who cover events at the UN, hailed Turkey's investigation into the murder of Jamal Khashoggi.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Association of the Accredited Correspondents of the United Nations’ (ACANU) President Nina Larsson said that the murder of Khashoggi was an "extremely shocking event" which warned journalists to be more "vigilant."

She said Turkey's stance on the murder of Khashoggi is "very good for journalists", adding that it sent a message to the world in favour of journalists.

"I think the Saudis behind this were surprised that Turkey made such a big deal about it. It seems they were expecting to just get away with it without any repercussion," she said.

Larsson said the fact that Saudi authorities thought "they could get away" with the murder of Khashoggi shows the atmosphere under which journalists are working nowadays.

Jan Dirk Herbermann, a journalist covering UN events for the German newspaper Handelsblatt, said the killing of Khashoggi is "especially shocking because it’s a murder in a diplomatic premises."

"I hope that the Saudis are really serious in investigating this crime but honestly I have my doubts whether they do it in a proper way and I also have my doubts whether the perpetrators will be brought to justice," he said.

"We've seen that since the beginning of this case the Saudis tried to cover it up and so I think they will stick to that policy and try to cover it up as far as they can," he added.

Herbermann said that the Turkish authorities "did a good job" on the Khashoggi case and added it seems like the Turkish authorities want to investigate the case professionally.

Stating that journalism is becoming "a more and more dangerous" profession, Herbermann called on the international community to stand up for journalists becoming targets in diplomatic premises.

Herbermann said that he is not so familiar with the hierarchy in Saudi Arabia and the domestic policy.

"But one thing is clear, it’s an autocratic system and I believe that such a murder can’t be carried out without the green signal from a very high representative of the government," he added.

'One of disturbing stories'

South African journalist Peter Kenny said that the murder of Khashoggi is "certainly one of the strangest and most disturbing of international stories.”

"Saudi Arabia has certainly shown itself to be a very unreliable party in the investigation of the Saudi journalist's killing," he said.

"I think initially people thought that the Turkish authorities were a bit slow but we have seen a consistency coming out from Turkey and revelations […] seems to be helping in understanding what really happened," he added.

Kenny said that Turkey gained reputation in its handling of the Khashoggi case.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

After weeks of denying involvement, the kingdom admitted Khashoggi had been killed at the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of a plot to murder him.

So far, 18 people, including security officers, have been arrested in Saudi Arabia in connection with the murder.

Last week, Turkish prosecutors announced preliminary findings that said Khashoggi was strangled to death in a premeditated killing soon after he entered the consulate.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office said Khashoggi's body was disposed of after being dismembered.

Saudi authorities have so far claimed no knowledge of the whereabouts of his remains.