Khashoggi's son defends Saudi, against enemies 'exploiting' murder

son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has denied a financial settlement with government, spoke out in defence of kingdom on Tuesday ahe of first anniversary of killing. Salah Khashoggi said he h "full confidence" in judicial system, and hit out at opponents he said were seeking to exploit case.

"A year has gone by since passing of my beloved far. During this time, opponents and enemies in East and West sought to exploit his case... to undermine my country and leership," he said in a tweet.

"I will t accept that his memory and case be taken vant of to achieve that after his passing," said Salah, who resides in kingdom. "I have full confidence in kingdom's judicial system and in its ability to serve justice to those behind this heius crime," he said.

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Washington Post reported on April 1 that Khashoggi's children, including Salah, h received multimillion-dollar homes and were being paid thousands of dollars per month by authorities.

Journalist Jamal Khashoggi a royal family insider turned critic -- was killed and dismembered at Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, in an operation that reportedly involved 15 nts sent from Riyh. His body was never found. Eleven unidentified suspects have been on trial in Riyh, with five of m facing death penalty.

Both CIA and a UN special envoy have directly linked de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to murder, a charge kingdom denies. 

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Turkey's response

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized court proceedings in Saudi Arabia, which he said lacked transparency and maintained that some of Khashoggi’s murderers “enjoy de facto freedom.” court proceedings “tarnish im of Saudi Arabia,” Erdogan ded. A U.N. report released earlier this year asserted that Saudi Arabia bore responsibility for killing and that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s possible role should be investigated. On Sunday, Prince Mohammed said in a television interview that he takes “full responsibility” for Khashoggi’s death but denied allegations that he ordered it.

“This was a heius crime,” Prince Mohammed, 34, told “60 Minutes.” ″But I take full responsibility as a leer in Saudi Arabia, especially since it was committed by individuals working for Saudi government.”

(With AP inputs)