Murder of journalist Khashoggi a test for many countries, Erdoğan says

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday made remarkable statements during a press conference in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires, where the G20 summit has been being holding since Friday.

Turkish president underlined in his speech at the G20 summit that killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul had been a test for many countries.

Speaking at a news conference at G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey has never seen the Khashoggi's murder as a political issue.

"For us, this incident is a vicious murder and will remain so," said Erdoğan.

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

The Saudi government changed its story on the murder, first denying it took place, then suggesting it was accidental and finally referring to it as a rogue operation.

He said had evidence that Saudi journalist Khashoggi was killed in 7.5 minutes, had shared that evidence with all countries who demanded including United States, Britain, Germany and Saudi Arabia.

He stressed that neither Islamic world nor the international community would be satisfied until revealing of all those responsible for murder of the journalist.

Heinous murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi only came to light thanks to Turkey's determined stance, Erdoğan said in a statement.

Erdoğan also said Turkey did not wish to damage Saudi royal family, but adding that solving Khashoggı murder would also be in the interest of the Saudi royal family.

"Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has sent his chief prosecutor, but he did not share information with Turkish counterpart. Impossıble to accept the crown prince's attitude that does not accuse those responsible until proven guilty."

The president urged Riyadh to extradite suspects, who were involved in the Khashoggi killing, and reiterating that putting those responsible for journalist Khashoggi murder would benefit Saudi Arabia.