Turkey eyes Jamal Khashoggi murder trial move to Saudi Arabia
Al JazeeraSep 09, 2022
Turkey to Recommend Transfer of Khashoggi Trial to Saudi Arabia
Image copyright: Getty Images [via NCB News]
The Facts
Turkey's justice minister announced on Fri. that the government would recommend transferring the trial of 26 Saudi suspects charged with the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia.
A Turkish prosecutor called for the in absentia trial to be halted and transferred, at the request of Saudi Arabia. The move raises concerns about a possible cover-up.
The Spin
Narrative A
This is a dishonor to Khashoggi, and means that the trial will be delivered straight into the bloody hands of the perpetrators, where the crime will only be covered up. It's a spineless attempt to repair relations with Saudi Arabia at the expense of justice.
Narrative B
The killing of Khashoggi is a crime that tainted all Saudis and is inappropriately being used as a political tool to further push existing prejudices. The US intelligence report, which was nothing more than an assessment, is being unfairly treated as incriminating evidence. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
Narrative C
This case isn't just about the death of one man. The killing of Khashoggi, a well-known and respected journalist, highlights the importance of freedom of the press and the lack of this freedom in so many instances. Justice for Khashoggi is an international human rights issue, impacting all of us.