Saudi FM: Khashoggi’s murder 'crime', 'big mistake'

RIYADH (AA) - Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir on Thursday said his country considered last month’s murder of Saudi Journalist Jamal Khashoggi as a “crime” and a “big mistake”.

Speaking to reporters, al-Jubeir said: "The politicization of the issue has led to a fissure in the Islamic world. The [Saudi] kingdom, however, seeks the unity of the Islamic world.”

The Saudi FM added that there was “ongoing communication” with the Turkish authorities regarding the ongoing investigations.

The Saudi attorney-general was still awaiting more evidence, he said, adding: “There are still several unanswered questions.”

Earlier Thursday, the Saudi Public Prosecution said the order to kill Khashoggi had come from the head of a team tasked by the Saudi leadership with negotiating with the journalist.

The statement comes amid western media reports that Khashoggi was murdered on the orders of Saudi Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman.

Khashoggi, a frequent contributor to The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

After weeks of denying any involvement in the crime, Saudi Arabia later admitted that Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate but claimed the Saudi royal family had no prior knowledge of any plot to murder the journalist.