France Says Indictments in Khashoggi Case 'a Step in Right Direction'

France on Thursday welcomed Saudi Arabia's indictment of several suspects over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, calling it a "step in the right direction" in an investigation being watched by the world.

In a statement, the French foreign ministry reiterated President Emmanuel Macron's call for full light to be shed on Khashoggi's October 2 death at the Saudi embassy in Istanbul and said: "We will continue to study developments in the case closely."

Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor on Thursday called for the death penalty against five people accused of murdering Khashoggi, who was drugged and his body dismembered by the admission of Saudi authorities.

A total of 21 people have been arrested over the killing, of whom 11 have been indicted.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, had been living in self-imposed exile in the U.S. and was critical of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Gulf kingdom has denied the prince had any role in his death.