Saudi Arabia has declared that it is seeking the death penalty for five citizens accused of ordering and carrying out the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but did not name any of them or disclose the whereabouts of the 59-year-old dissident’s body.

The Saudi state news agency cited the public prosecutor as saying 11 suspects have been indicted for the 2 October killing of the Washington Post columnist, with another 10 in custody and under investigation, bringing to 21 people the number of people allegedly connected to the case.

“The Public Prosecutor has requested the death penalty for five individuals who are charged with ordering and committing the crime and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals,” the Saudi Press Agency reported.

Turkish media citing security officials and airport transit data have named 20 Saudi citizens allegedly involved in the killing of Mr Khashoggi and subsequent cover-up attempt. But the Saudis have yet to name anyone. Two deputies of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler, have been demoted over the killing, and one of the alleged perpetrators named by Western and Turkish media has been tied directly to the entourage of the 33-year-old heir to the throne.

Ankara has blamed the highest ranks of power in Saudi Arabia for Khashoggi's brutal death. Turkish officials have alleged Khashoggi was dismembered and dissolved in acid after his murder in Istanbul's Saudi consulate last month.

Earlier this week, Turkish media published photos purportedly showing tools carried by the Saudi hit squad as they left Istanbul aboard a private jet. Syringes, electro-shock devices and a blade similar to a scalpel were among the tools carried by Khashoggi’s alleged killers, though there was no evidence of a bone saw required to dismember his body, according to a new report.

Justice for Jamal Khashoggi protest outside the Embassy of Saudi Arabia

Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Show all 7 1 /7 Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Jamal Khashoggi Washington Post journalist who was critical of the Saudi regime and the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he was murdered on 2 October in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul AFP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Heir to the Saudi throne, Mohammed bin Salman has been implicated in the murder, with US officials claiming that he must have known of the plot AFP/Getty Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures 15 man hit squad Turkish police suspect these 15 men of being involved in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, issued 10 October, 8 days after the journalist disappeared EPA Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Saud al-Qahtani Aide to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saud al-Qahtani is claimed to have ordered Khashoggi's murder Saud Al-Qahtani/Twitter Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb A former diplomat who often travelled with the Crown Prince, Mutreb was initially claimed to be the leader of the hit squad and is pictured here entering the Saudi consulate on the day of the murder AP Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Mustafa al-Madani First implicated in the 15 CCTV photos released by the Turkish police, al-Madani was later found to have been used as a body double for Khashoggi, leaving the Saudi consulate dressed in his clothes on the day the journalist was killed CNN Jamal Khashoggi death: key figures Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi (L) Son of the murdered journalist met with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on 23 October EPA

The New York Times on Tuesday cited unnamed officials describing one member of the Saudi kill team being recorded phoning Riyadh after murdering Khashoggi and saying “tell your boss", in a possible reference to the crown prince, who is widely suspected of ordering the hit.