France imposes sanctions on 18 suspects in Khashoggi’s killing

France said on Thursday it had imposed sanctions, including travel bans, on 18 Saudi citizens linked to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and said more could follow depending on results of an investigation.

The foreign ministry did not name the individuals but said in a statement that the move was in coordination with European partners, notably Germany, which on Monday also banned 18 Saudis and moved to halt all arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

The bans bind all members of the European Union’s passport-free Schengen zone, it said.

“The murder of Khashoggi is a crime of extreme gravity, which moreover goes against freedom of the press and the most fundamental rights,” the ministry statement said.

France expected a transparent, detailed and exhaustive response from Saudi authorities, it said.

“These are interim measures that may be reviewed or extended depending on the progress of ongoing investigations,” it said.

French reaction has been relatively guarded given it is keen to retain its influence with Riyadh and protect commercial relations spanning energy, finance, and weapons sales.

Saudi’s deputy public prosecutor said on November 15 that Riyadh was seeking the death penalty for five of the 11 suspects charged with Khashoggi’s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month.

“It (France) recalls its opposition, in all places and in all circumstances, to the death penalty,” the ministry said.

Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the Saudi government, was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October to obtain a marriage document.