Turkey’s state news agency, Anadolu, reports that Turkish prosecutors have filed a second indictment against six Saudi nationals. The six are suspects in the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi which took place in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Washington Post contributor and critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 59 year old Khashoggi had gone to the consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his impending marriage to Hatice Cengiz. He was never seen again.

According to Anadolu, the charges against two of the suspects carry aggravated life sentences. The two were consulate staff members. They were part of the team that left Turkey after allegedly having carryed out the murder of the Saudi journalist. The charges against the other four suspects carry sentences of up to five years in jail. They are accused of having tampered with evidence by going to the crime scene immediately after the murder. They are also no longer in Turkey.

Khashoggi’s body is still missing. Reportedly dismembered, his remains have never been found.

While Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the order to murder Khashoggi came from “the highest levels” of the Saudi government, he has never directly blamed the crown prince. Mohammed bin Salman, meanwhile, has denied any involvement.

Al Jazeerah reports that a Saudi court had overturned the death sentences handed down to five defendants last year. instead, they were sentenced to 20 years behind bars each. The trial took place behind closed doors.

Umm Muhammed Umar