Saudi Arabia’s account of journalist Jamal Khashoggi killing prompts worldwide criticism

● EU calls for a thorough investigation into the ’deeply troubling’ death of Saudi critic

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In this image made from a March 2018 video provided by Metafora Production, Jamal Khashoggi speaks during an interview at an undisclosed location. Photo: Metafora Production via AP

Published: 2:45am, 21 Oct 2018Updated: 10:43am, 21 Oct 2018

Turkey will “never allow a cover-up” of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, a senior official in Turkey’s ruling party said Saturday, reflecting international scepticism over the Saudi account that the writer died during a “fist fight”.

The comment was one of many critical reactions to Saudi Arabia’s announcement of the writer’s violent death, indicating the kingdom’s efforts to defuse a scandal that has gripped the world were falling short. US President Donald Trump, however, was an exception. Asked whether he thought the Saudi explanation was credible, he replied: “I do. I do.”

The EU’s top diplomat Federica Mogherini called for a thorough investigation into the “deeply troubling” death.

“The European Union, like its partners, insists on the need for continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it,” said a statement on Mogherini’s behalf.

Despite widespread outrage over the killing of the columnist for The Washington Post, it is unclear to what extent the top leadership of Saudi Arabia, a key US ally and a powerful player in a volatile region, would be held accountable for what human rights activists describe as an extrajudicial killing by Saudi agents.