Khashoggi murder: Saudi FM describes global outcry as 'hysterical'

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir has said the global outcry and media focus on the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi earlier this month has become “hysterical”.

He urged the public to wait for the results of an investigation before ascribing blame to the kingdom’s top leadership.

The Saudi foreign minister made the remarks at a security conference in Bahrain, reports BBC on Saturday.

Adel al-Jubeir assured that the suspects in the killing of Khashoggi would be prosecuted in Saudi Arabia.

"On the issue of extradition, the individuals are Saudi nationals. They're detained in Saudi Arabia, and the investigation is in Saudi Arabia, and they will be prosecuted in Saudi Arabia," Mr al-Jubeir said.

Turkey and Saudi Arabia are not known to have an extradition treaty.

Khashoggi, who was an outspoken critic of the crown prince, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul three weeks ago.

Riyadh denies the ruling royal family was involved and blames "rogue agents".

Saudi Arabia initially denied all knowledge of the journalist's fate but the Saudi public prosecutor now describes it as premeditated murder.