Link to article: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/4/1/turkey-to-ok-khashoggi-murder-trials-move-to-saudi-arabia
Turkey’s justice minister said on Friday his ministry would approve a request to transfer a trial over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, as Ankara seeks to mend ties with Riyadh. Human rights groups have since condemned the move saying Saudi Arabia could not be expected to hold a fair trial. Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul four years ago grabbed headlines worldwide and strained ties between the two regional powers, leading to an unofficial Saudi boycott of Turkish goods that has cut Ankara’s exports to Riyadh by 90 percent which has put a significant hit on the Turkish economy. A Turkish prosecutor called on Thursday for the Istanbul trial in absentia of 26 Saudi suspects to be halted and transferred to Saudi authorities, who requested the transfer in a response to a letter from the Turkish court. Amnesty International Secretary General Agnes Callamard described the prosecutor’s request as “spineless”. In 2020, Saudi Arabia jailed eight people for between seven and 20 years for Khashoggi’s murder. None of the defendants was named in what rights groups described as a sham trial.
I find it very sad that the murder of Jamal Khashoggi is being used as a political tool. I am appalled by Turkey’s behavior in that they are attempting to sweep this under the rug, just like the Saudi’s. I feel that if Turkey really truly wants to become part of the West, they cannot barter on things like this and should be held to a higher standard. It is extremely sad that this man was murdered and it seems justice will never be found, as I don’t believe their will be a fair trial in Saudi Arabia. And even if there is, the people convicted will not be the correct people who deserve punishment for this heinous crime. On the other hand, I understand why Turkey is doing this, as they have been attempting to mend relations with the Saudi’s for a while now, but I still find it wrong.