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French Judge Opens Inquiry Into Jamal Khashoggi Killing

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A French judge has been appointed to lead an investigation into the 2018 killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi after a Paris appeals court ruled complaints filed by human rights organizations admissible. France’s national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office said the inquiry will focus on allegations including torture and enforced disappearance.

The case was brought forward by TRIAL International and Reporters Without Borders, while a separate complaint by DAWN was ruled inadmissible. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018 by Saudi agents in an operation that U.S. intelligence believed was linked to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The new French inquiry opens another legal front in a case that has seen limited international judicial action in recent years. A Turkish court transferred its trial involving Saudi suspects to Saudi Arabia in 2022, while a U.S. court dismissed a civil lawsuit after the Biden administration granted immunity to bin Salman following his appointment as prime minister. Under French law, prosecutions for crimes committed abroad generally require suspects to be present in France.

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Turkish local elections: Opposition stuns Erdogan with historic victory

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The primary opposition party in Turkey has claimed significant victories in key cities such as Istanbul and Ankara in recent elections, dealing a substantial blow to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s aspirations. Erdogan, who had hoped to secure control of these cities less than a year after winning his third presidential term, faced defeat as the opposition secured victories.

Ekrem Imamoglu, representing the secular opposition CHP, secured his second victory in Istanbul, defeating the candidate backed by Erdogan’s AK Party by a considerable margin. Similarly, in Ankara, opposition mayor Mansur Yavas declared victory early on, with a significant lead over his opponent.

These results mark the first nationwide defeat for Erdogan’s party in over two decades. Despite Erdogan acknowledging the outcome, labeling it a turning point, it’s a significant setback for his party’s dominance, especially considering the sweeping powers amassed by the presidency under his leadership.

The opposition’s success is considered the biggest electoral defeat of Erdogan’s career, prompting speculation about the future of Turkish politics. Supporters of the opposition celebrated the outcome as a historic moment, signaling a desire for change in the country’s political landscape.

Imamoglu and Yavas, both seen as potential presidential candidates in the future, emerged as key figures in the opposition’s triumph. The victories in major cities like Istanbul, which holds substantial economic and cultural influence, underscore the opposition’s strength and its ability to challenge Erdogan’s rule.

Despite Erdogan’s party retaining control in certain regions, particularly in central Turkey, the election results reflect a significant shift in the country’s political dynamics. With a high voter turnout and the inclusion of a sizable number of young voters, the elections have reshaped Turkey’s political landscape and set the stage for potential changes in the upcoming presidential election in 2028.

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Turkey punishes US consulate employee

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Turkey has punished a US consulate employee, Metin Topuz, as they have found that the employee, who is a Turkish national, has links with a terror organisation work against the interest of the Turkish government.

The person was originally arrested in the year 2017. Since then, he is under the custody of the Turkish government.

Turkey believes the said group is behind the failed group.

Meanwhile, the US government has come strongly in support of their employee. They claim that there is no credible evidence to prove that their employee has links with the terrorist organisation.

The development may affect the relation between Turkey and the United States of America – which is already not in a good relation with the European country.

Mr. Topuz was an employee of the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Istanbul. He has decades of experience as a translator.

The punishment order means the US employee will have to spend at least nine years in a prison in Turkey.  

At this moment, it remains unclear whether there is any provision to appeal against the verdict delivered by the court in Turkey.

It is unfortunate that this kind of action has been initiated against the US employee.V

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