(MENAFN- Morocco World News) ">Rabat – Saudi Arabia is under heavy international criticism after admitting that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi died in a 'fistfight.'
It took Saudi Arabia two weeks to admit that the Saudi journalist was killed after he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
Several countries condemned the crime, calling on Saudi Arabia to provide more information on the murder.
Germany, according to , has called on Saudi Arabia to give 'transparency' over the murder of Khashoggi.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Germany's foreign affairs minister Heiko Maas issued a statement on Saturday, emphasizing that Riyadh's information about the murder is insufficient.
The officials asserted that 'those responsible must be held to account.'
The EU foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, described the murder as a 'shocking violation of the Vienna convention on consular relations.' She also called for a transparent investigation on the murder.
Quoted by the Guardian, the official said, 'The emerging circumstances of Jamal Khashoggi's death are deeply troubling.'
The official emphasized the need to hold people involved in the murder accountable.
France, Canada, and Australia also denounced the murder of the prominent Saudi journalist.
Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland said that Riyadh's statements about the murder 'lack consistency and credibility.'
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that his country 'deplores' the killing of the journalist. He expected 'the Saudi government to cooperate fully with Turkish authorities regarding the investigation of this matter.'
US President Donald Trump was perhaps the first official to find Saudi Arabia's explanation credible. He described the Saudi confession as an 'important first step.'
Read Also: Jamal Khashoggi Allegedly Killed Inside Saudi Consulate in Turkey However, Trump said that he is not satisfied 'until we find the answer. But it was a big first step, it was a good first step. But I want to get the answer.'
Saudi Arabia considers Trump as the kingdom's 'strong ally.' However, the US president pledged punishment if Saudi Arabia is involved in the murder.
Several countries, including the UK and Germany, are expected to boycott a Saudi investment summit, which will take place October 23-25.
The boycott will protest Saudi Arabia involvement in the murder of Khashoggi.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the murder, saying that he is 'deeply troubled' by Saudi confirmation of the death of Khashoggi. He also demanded a transparent investigation into the case.
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