Turkish court halts trial of Khashoggi case

ANKARA, Apr 07 (Reuters): A Turkish court ruled on Thursday to halt the trial of Saudi suspects over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and transfer it to Saudi Arabia, a decision that drew condemnation from rights groups and comes as Ankara mends ties with Riyadh.

Last week the prosecutor called for the trial in absentia of 26 Saudi suspects to be transferred from Istanbul to Saudi authorities. The justice minister later said the government backed the request.

Khashoggi's killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul four years ago triggered a global outcry and put pressure on Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"Making the decision to halt (the trial) is against the law... because the acquittal ruling about the defendants in Saudi Arabia has been finalised," said Gokmen Baspinar, a lawyer representing Hatice Cengiz, the murdered journalist's fiancee.