Khashoggi memorialized with funeral prayers at holy Muslim sites

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The family of Jamal Khashoggi held funeral prayers in absentia at two prominent mosques in Saudi Arabia Friday, as the slain reporter's remains have not yet been found.

"The prayer for the absent will be held for the deceased Jamal Khashoggi after Friday prayers at the Prophet's Mosque in Medina and after Friday prayers at the Grand Mosque in Mecca," Jamal Khashoggi's son Salah Khashoggi tweeted.

Mecca and Medina are considered two of Islam's holiest cities.

Khashoggi died Oct. 2 after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, where he went for marriage documentation. Officials say he was ambushed by a hit team. He was strangled and dismembered and dissolved in acid to leave no trace.

Khashoggi friend Fatih Oke said the family will not get closure until justice is delivered.

"Today we want to honor his soul, if we can honor his soul, we'll be happy," Oke said Friday. "But our needs will not end with this funeral in absentia, we are looking for real justice for Jamal's soul, his family, for journalism, in the world."

So far, 21 people have been arrested in the case and 11 were charged with murder, Saudi chief prosecutor Shaalan Shaalan said Thursday. Prosecutors said they're seeking the death penalty for five.

The United States also imposed sanctions against 17 people over Khashoggi's death.

Shaalan said the operation was put together by General Ahmed Al Assiri, the deputy chief of Saudi intelligence. Planning began Sept. 29 with an order to "bring back the victim by means of persuasion, and if persuasion fails, to do so by force."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has weathered accusations of involvement, but Saudi Foreign Minister Adel Al Jubeir said he didn't know about the operation.

"Absolutely, his royal highness the crown prince has nothing to do with this issue," Al Jubeir said.

Saud Al Qahtani, a former adviser to bin Salman, was charged with meeting with the hit team.

"Sometimes mistakes happen ... sometimes people exceed their authority," Al Jubeir said.