Indonesia urges Saudis on transparent Khashoggi probe

By Erric Permana

BOGOR, Indonesia (AA) - Indonesian President Monday asked Saudi Arabia to conduct a transparent investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Joko Widodo made his demand in a statement -- which Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi delivered after Widodo received Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir at Bogor Palace in West Java province.

"Indonesia hopes that the ongoing investigation can be carried out transparently and thoroughly," Marsudi said.

Khashoggi, a journalist and Saudi columnist for The Washington Post, went missing since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

After days of denying to know his whereabouts, Saudi Arabia on Saturday claimed Khashoggi died during a fight inside the consulate.

Widodo addressed the Khashoggi case in the meeting with al-Jubeir, accompanied by some officials, including Saudi ambassador to Indonesia Usama bin Muhammed al-Shuaibi.

However, the Saudi minister did not give any statement on the incident. He also rejected to hold a press conference for the journalists waiting for him.

"Before leaving for Indonesia, the Saudi Foreign Minister had given an explanation which was also conveyed to the President," Marsudi told journalists after accompanying Widodo to welcome al-Jubeir.

On Sunday, al-Jubeir said in a statement that the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was "not aware" of Khashoggi death in the Saudi Consulate.

“The Crown Prince [Mohammed bin Salman] has denied this, he is not aware of this,” al-Jubeir told Fox News, saying it a rogue operation.

He also said none of those involved in the killing of Khashoggi had close ties to the crown prince.