The New Zealand Government has strongly condemned the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi by Saudi operatives.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker released a statement on Sunday condemning the killing "in the strongest possible terms".
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It follows appeals to the Government by international relations experts, including from University of Otago's Dr Robert Patman who said New Zealand needed to speak out.
"I think, issue a joint statement with like-minded countries - Canada, and the liberal-minded democracies of Europe - that this is completely unacceptable, what happened to a journalist," said Mr Patman.
The death of Mr Khashoggi was confirmed by the Saudi Arabian government on Saturday. The journalist died in the Turkish Consulate General in Istanbul, and Saudi authorities have arrested 18 Saudi nationals and dismissed several senior officials in connection to the killing.
"While this is an important admission, the killing by government operatives is deeply disturbing. Many questions remain unanswered," said Mr Peters. "We look forward to the results of the investigation being led by Turkey and we urge Saudi Arabia to implement its undertaking to participate openly and transparently in that investigation".
Ministry of Foreign and Trade officials met with the Saudi Embassy in Wellington on Tuesday to raise New Zealand's concerns.
No New Zealand officials will attend the upcoming Future Investment Initiative event in Riyadh.
Newshub.
