Efforts to save 18 Turks facing execution in Saudi Arabia ongoing

HATAY – Doğan News Agency

Two Turkish lawmakers have met with Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu as part of efforts to save 18 Turkish citizens facing execution in Saudi Arabia over drug possession. 

Fevzi Şanverdi, a ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy, and Serkan Topal, a deputy from the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), met with Çavuşoğlu on Dec. 7. 

In the meeting they spoke about the 18 Turkish citizens, originally from the southern Turkish province of Hatay, being held in jail pending trial and facing possible execution. 

“We have told [Çavuşoğlu] that three of our citizens’ situation is especially urgent, while the rest are victims of international drug cartels,” Topal said. 

“Our minister said he would contact his Saudi counterpart as soon as possible,” he added. 

Topal also noted that he was in touch with the Turkish ambassador in Riyadh, Yunus Demirer, every day, vowing to continue their efforts at the state level to save the jailed Turkish citizens.