Khashoggi case has no effect on planning of Russia-Saudi Arabia contacts "Bogdanov"

The situation around the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi does not affect the planning of contacts between Moscow and Riyadh, including at the top level, Russian President's Special Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov told reporters on Monday.

"Yes, we [had] visits, our interministerial top-level delegation went, there were meetings," the diplomat said in response to the question about whether Russia still plans to attend the summit in the wake of Khashoggi’s murder. "As for this case, it is notorious, but we have to wait for the results of the investigation."

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, known for his criticism of Saudi Arabia's current policy, left his home country and moved to the United States in 2017. The journalist wrote articles for The Washington Post, analyzing the situation in Saudi Arabia and the country's foreign policy, and criticizing Riyadh.

The journalist arrived to the consulate general of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul on October 2 to complete routine paperwork and has not been in contact since then. Several media reported that the journalist was killed in the diplomatic mission's building. On October 20, Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecutor Saud Al-Moajab declared the death of the journalist.

He noted that Khashoggi died following a conflict that had erupted in the consulate.