Erdogan demands extradition of suspects in Khashoggi murder

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday called for 18 Saudi suspects in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to stand trial in Istanbul, saying all those involved had to face punishment.

“My demand is that 18 people be tried in Istanbul,” Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party lawmakers in Ankara, adding that “all those who played a role in the murder” had to face punishment.

He said that the murder was “planned” days in advance according to a “roadmap” set up by a Saudi team who were sent to Istanbul for the purpose.

Erdogan added he still wanted answers on numerous issues including “who gave orders” to the team and where the corpse is.

He said that there were strong signs that the killing of Khashoggi was planned and that he was killed in a “savage way”.

A team of Saudi agents began arriving in Turkey the day before Khashoggi was killed, and cameras at the consulate were removed, Erdogan told the audience.

He said a Saudi team of 15 entered the consulate the day of the killing, and that three men from the team went on an exploration trip to Belgrad forest in Istanbul and Yalova, a 90-kilometre (55 mile) drive south of Istanbul.

Erdogan also said he told Saudi King Salman that the Saudi consul in Istanbul was incompetent and that he was relieved of his duty and returned to his country.