The UK, German and French Foreign ministers condemned the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with “the strongest possible terms” on Sunday.
In a joint statement, the ministers said,
“Nothing can justify this killing and we condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Defending freedom of expression and free press are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France. The threatening, attacking or killing of journalists under any circumstances, is unacceptable and of utmost concern to our three nations.”
The statement comes after Saudi Arabia blamed the killing of Mr Khashoggi on a ‘rogue operation.’
The German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said she will not allow arms exports to Saudi Arabia to continue given “the current circumstances" reports the BBC.
Canada’s prime minister has threatened to cancel a multi-billion defence contract over the killing.
Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir told news outlets that “the murder” had been a “tremendous mistake.”
“The individuals who did this, did this outside the scope of their authority. There obviously was a tremendous mistake made and what compounded the mistake was the attempt to try to cover up,” said the Saudi Foreign Minister.
