Analyst: Key takeaway from Erdogan's speech is call for extradition

Yusuf Erim, a Turkey analyst at the state-backed TRT World News channel, said that Erdogan’s speech showed that he will stay on the “Khashoggi case to the very end".

Speaking from Istanbul, Erim told MEE: “Key takeaways from Erdogan’s speech are that he has signalled extradition, and said that the crime was committed in Istanbul, and the perpetrators should therefore be tried in Turkey."

'Mentioning MbS without evidence will lead to a diplomatic upset, and that is the last thing Erdogan would want'

- Yusuf Erim, TRT World analyst

He added that Erdogan most likely avoided mentioning Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to avoid a diplomatic upset.

“You have to realise that he is president and not allowed to mention MbS until he has concrete evidence,” said Erim. “Mentioning MbS without evidence will lead to a diplomatic upset, and that is the last thing Erdogan would want.”

Once Turkish prosecutors hand down their indictment, Erim said he believes Turkish officials who have been speaking anonymously will talk on the record. 

"Turkish law stipulates that until a prosecutor hands out an indictment, it is illegal for anyone to divulge or leak information,” said Erim. “This will lead to even more transparency to the process.”