UN special rapporteurs and the working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances called on Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to carry out an independent investigation into the disappearance of prominent Saudi opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing in Istanbul last week.
GENEVA (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 09th October, 2018) UN special rapporteurs and the working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances called on Turkey and Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to carry out an independent investigation into the disappearance of prominent Saudi opposition journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing in Istanbul last week.
"We are deeply concerned at the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi, and at the allegations of state-sponsored murder ... An independent international investigation must immediately be launched into the events. Those responsible - perpetrators and masterminds - should be identified and brought to justice. We call on the Saudi and Turkish authorities to cooperate fully to resolve this case," the statement, signed by UN special rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye and UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Agnes Callamard, said.
The UN experts have also expressed their concern over the fact that the journalist's criticism with regard to Saudi authorities might have resulted in an alleged state-sponsored murder.
On Wednesday, the Turkish-Arab Media Association reported that Khashoggi, who writes columns for The Washington Post newspaper, went missing in Turkey. The journalist was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate General in Istanbul. According to the journalist's fiancee, Khashoggi was invited to the Consulate General to obtain documents needed for his upcoming marriage. The journalist's fiancee stayed outside waiting for Khashoggi. Following five hours of waiting, one of the Consulate General's employees told the woman that her fiance had already left.
According to the Saudi Consulate General, the journalist disappeared after he left the diplomatic mission's building. The Saudi diplomatic mission also stated that it was cooperating with the Turkish authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the journalist's disappearance.
On Friday, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman said that the Turkish authorities might search the Consulate General's building if necessary. Hami Aksoy, the spokesman for the Turkish Foreign Ministry, then confirmed that Ankara had received the relevant permission from Riyadh.
