ISTANBUL (AP) - The Latest on the case of the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi (all times local):
4:25 p.m.
The U.N. human rights chief says an international investigation is needed into the “awful” killing of Saudi dissident and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
Michelle Bachelet made the comments at a news conference Wednesday timed for the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, alluding to similar calls from outside experts linked to the U.N. human rights office.
“We also call for international investigation,” she said. “We mentioned to the (U.N.) secretary-general that we thought it was needed, a criminal investigation - international investigation.”
She said her office doesn’t have the mandate to conduct a criminal investigation, however.
“I do believe that it’s really needed in terms of ensuring what really happened and who are the responsible for that awful killing.”
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12:05 p.m.
Istanbul’s chief prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants against two former aides to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who were dismissed amid the fallout from the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi.
The prosecutor is seeking warrants for royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri, who are believed to have overseen the team that killed and dismembered Khashoggi at the kingdom’s Istanbul consulate in October. Saudi authorities say the agents who killed Khashoggi exceeded their authority.
Tuesday’s court application says there is “strong suspicion” the two aides were involved in planning the killing.
Turkey has been seeking to extradite 18 suspects, including 15 members of the alleged assassination squad. Saudi Arabia has detained 21 people and says it is seeking the death penalty for five.
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