The United Nations reiterated the need to hold accountable those accused of killing the Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, inside his country’s consulate in Istanbul, on October 2, 2018.

The United Nations comment came after the Charles Airport police announced the arrest of Khaled Al-Otaibi, 33, one of the Saudis suspected of killing Khashoggi, 59, before his release, as he was arrested by mistake because his name was similar to one of the accused in the crime.

In response to a question about the arrest of Al-Otaibi, Stephane Dujarric said at a press conference in New York: “The position of the Secretary-General from the beginning was clear, and it was his emphasis on the need to implement the principle of accountability for the Khashoggi murder.”

It is noteworthy that, in September 2020, a Saudi court sentenced members of the team to prison terms ranging from seven to 20 years.

In a related context, the US National Public Radio (NPR) website said that the US State Assembly in Washington unanimously agreed to name the street opposite the Saudi embassy in the US capital, after the late Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi.

He indicated that the decision will be implemented in January, during a special ceremony.

The radio quoted a member of the Capital Council, Brooke Pinto, as saying that the decision, which was approved unanimously, will serve as a reminder of the dangers faced by journalists around the world.

Pinto continued, “Khashoggi knew that by shining a light on Saudi Arabia, and his search for the truth, he risked his freedom and even his life.”

(agencies)