Killing Saudi journo violates Vienna Convention on Consular Relations: EU
Tehran (Basirat) : The European Union said in a statement on Saturday murdering Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoogi inside Saudi consulate in Turkey violates Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.
In a statement released on the official website of the European Parliament, Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy said, 'The emerging circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi’s death are deeply troubling, including the shocking violation of the 1963 Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and particularly its Article 55.'
Hence, like all its partners, the European Union insists on the need for a thorough, credible and transparent probe into the case, clarifying the issue and holding those responsible for it accountable, the statement read.
The European Union also expressed its sympathy to the family and friends of the investigative journalist, saying 'the family of the journalist as well as his friends deserve justice.'
Earlier, French Minister for Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves Le Drian and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had called for transparent probe into the murder of the journalist.
The 59-year-old Saudi investigative journalist vanished on October second after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to collect documents for his forthcoming marriage.
After 18 days of silence and rejecting claims that Khashoggi was killed, the Saudi government finally bowed down to international pressure and admitted the prominent journalist was killed inside Istanbul consulate.
Following the confession, the Saudi king, Salman bin Abdulaziz removed, in separate orders, some top officials including Saud al-Qahtani, royal court advisor who is a close aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Ahmed al-Asiri, Saudi Arabia's deputy intelligence chief who was formerly the Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Major General Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Shaya, Assistant Chief of General Intelligence for Human Resources and General Rashad Bin Hamed Al Mohammadi, the Director of the General Directorate of Security and Protection at the General Intelligence.
Salman bin Abdulaziz also ordered the formation of a ministerial committee headed by the crown prince to restructure Saudi Arabia's General Intelligence Presidency.
Saudi Public Prosecutor's Office announced those involved in murdering Khashoogi will be taken to court.In the same vein, 18 Saudi citizens have been detained.
Source:IRNA
