The family of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi denied on Wednesday of being in talks to reach a settlement out of court with Saudi authorities.
"Currently, the trial is taking place and no settlement discussion had been or is discussed," read an English statement posted to Salah Khashoggi's verified Twitter account.
Khashoggi's son said only the family and their attorney were authorized to "claim to be a source of information".
“Jamal Khashoggi was a respectable and patriotic Saudi citizen. The recent attempts to smear his legacy and draw friction are ill an immoral,” continued the statement
“The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman are considered and regarded as guardians to all Saudis. Acts of generosity and humanity come from the high moral grounds they possess, not admission of guilt or scandal,” it added.
“We understand the urge to know what transpired regarding the case; and we will be sharing the developments as soon as they are legally admissible and allowed. There are no friends or consultants or any third party authorized to speak on our behalf of claim to be a source of information except us, Jamal’s children and Mr. Motasem Khashoggi our attorney,” it continued.
“The people who committed and were involved in this crime will be brought to justice and face punishment,” it stressed.
“Any information or evidence pertaining to the case is welcomed and encouraged to brought forward by the righteous,” it said.
Saudi Arabia last year indicted 11 people for the killing at the Kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul in October. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty against five of them.
