Jamal Khashoggi

President Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday said that Turkey would not allow those responsible for the killing of Saudi journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, to escaped justice, from those who ordered it to those who carried it out, Erdogan said this in a speech in speech in Ankara.

“We are determined not to allow a cover-up of this murder and to make sure all those responsible – from those who ordered it, to those who carried it out will not be allowed to avoid justice.’’

He also said in his speech on Tuesday while addressing the world that some people had been uncomfortable with him sharing evidence regarding the investigation into the killing.

“We will continue to share new evidence transparently with our counterparts to enlighten the dark sides of this murder,” he said.

Separately, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia would not have murdered Khashoggi without American protection, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).

President Donald Trump said on Tuesday Saudi authorities staged the “worst cover-up ever” in the killing of Khashoggi and the U.S. vowed to revoke the visas of some of those believed to be responsible.

Trump spoke hours after Erdogan dismissed Saudi efforts to blame Khashoggi’s death on rogue operatives.

Erdogan urged Riyadh to search “from top to bottom” to uncover those behind Khashoggi’s death in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2, an incident that has sparked global outrage and strained relations between Riyadh and Washington.

For Saudi Arabia’s allies, the question will be whether they believe that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has painted himself as a reformer, has any culpability.

Trump said the killing and subsequent cover-up by Saudi Arabia were “a total fiasco.”

“There should have never been an execution or a cover-up because it should have never happened.’’

He said he had spoken on Monday with the crown prince who denied having anything to do with Khashoggi’s killing.

Earlier, Trump said the Khashoggi’s matter was handled badly by Saudi officials.

“Bad deal, should have never been thought of. Somebody really messed up. And they had the worst cover-up ever,” Trump told reporters at the White House.

Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, was a U.S. resident and Washington Post columnist.

Meanwhile Australia is considering the options of Saudi arms sales ban after Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.

(Reuters/NAN)