Saudi prosecutors have said they are seeking the death penalty for five people accused of being involved in the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Mr Khashoggi - who was a critic of the Saudi regime, including the powerful crown prince Mohammed bin Salman - disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

After a series of denials, the Saudi government finally admitted the journalist was killed in the Turkish consulate.

The government has claimed the killing was a 'rogue operation', and insisted members of the royal family had nothing to do with it.

A total of 11 people have been arrested and questioned in Saudi Arabia in connection with the killing. 

Following an initial court hearing in Riyadh attended by the 11 defendants, Saudi state media reports that the country's prosecution service is now 'demanding' the death penalty for five of those accused of being 'directly involved'.

They're continuing to question the other six people over the case.

During the hearing, the defendants requested a copy of the indictment and additional time to respond - a request which was approved by the court.

Authorities say they've also contacted Turkish officials seeking any evidence they have regarding the case, but have yet to hear back.

Turkey has been investigating the killing, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has previously claimed "the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government".

Writing in the Washington Post in November, Erdogan said: "We must reveal the identities of the puppetmasters behind Khashoggi’s killing and discover those in whom Saudi officials - still trying to cover up the murder - have placed their trust."

Last month, US senators backed a resolution accusing Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of being responsible for the murder of Mr Khashoggi.

Donald Trump, in contrast, has said "we may never know all of the facts" about the murder, adding that the crown prince 'maybe did or maybe didn't' have knowledge of the operation.