Indonesian journalists urge clarity on Khashoggi case

The Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) Indonesia on Friday called for a "transparent" investigation over missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

In a statement, AJI Indonesia called for a "credible and transparent collaborative investigation between Turkey and Saudi Arabia" and "urged global powers to monitor the investigation".

AJI Indonesia President Abdul Manan said: “We urgently call for an independent and thorough investigation to provide answers to what happened to our fellow journalist, Khashoggi."

"We also demand Saudi Arabia government to explain the disappearance of Khashoggi at its consulate,” he said.

Manan urged the global powers to watch the developments of the case closely and pressure Saudi Arabia to cooperate with the investigation.

“Anyone involved in Mr. Khashoggi’s disappearance must be held accountable,” he added.

Manan also said freedom of the press and expression are "basic rights for all", and all governments should make those principles their key priorities.

The statement also said: "In Saudi Arabia alone, there are around 25 up to 30 professional and non-professional journalists currently in custody."

"Saudi Arabia is ranked 169th out of 180 countries in RSF’s [Reporters Without Borders] 2018 World Press Freedom Index, indicating how poor the country is in treating their journalists," it added.

Journalist Khashoggi is missing since he entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

On that same day, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the building while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.

Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the U.K. -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible.