Riyadh, January 03, 2019, SPA --The Public Prosecutor stated that further to the statements issued on 19/10/2018, 25/10/2018 and on 15/11/2018, the initial hearing for the 11 individuals indicted by the Public Prosecution in the case of the murder of citizen Jamal Khashoggi was held today 3/1/2019 in the Criminal Court of Riyadh. The defendants’ attorneys were present under Article (4) of the Law of Criminal Procedures. The Public Prosecutor demanded imposing proper punishments against the defendants and is seeking capital punishment for (5) of the defendants for their direct involvement in the murder. During the initial hearing of the case, the defendants requested a copy of the indictment and additional time to respond. The defendants' request was approved according to Article (136) of the Law of Criminal Procedures. Meanwhile, the Public Prosecutor continues to investigate the case with the rest of the individuals in custody in relation to this crime. In addition, two letters (Number 22031/S & 22032/S, dated to 17/12/2018) were sent to the Public Prosecutor of the Republic of Turkey in follow up to letters number 7841 dated 17/10/2018, and number 9995/S, dated 25/10/2018, and number 11350/S, dated 31/10/2018 requesting the Turkish Public Prosecution to provide any evidence connected to this case. To date, the Saudi Public Prosecutor has not received any response, and the Public Prosecution is still waiting their response. --SPA 13:43 LOCAL TIME 10:43 GMT 0007 www.spa.gov.sa/w814829