Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday requested Saudi officers to show their declare that lacking journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Erdogan’s feedback’ got here after media reviews mentioned his authorities sought permission from Saudi authorities to go looking the consulate premises in Istanbul.
Khashoggi, a Washington Submit contributor, vanished final Tuesday after coming into the consulate to obtain official paperwork forward of his marriage to a Turkish lady.
“Consulate officers can not save themselves by saying that he left the constructing… Do not you could have a digital camera?” Erdogan informed a information convention in Budapest.
“If he left, you must show it with a footage. Those that ask Turkish authorities the place he’s ought to ask what occurred.”
Police mentioned on the weekend that round 15 Saudis, together with officers, arrived in Istanbul on two flights on Tuesday and have been on the consulate concurrently Khashoggi.
A Turkish authorities supply informed AFP on the weekend that the police consider the journalist “was killed by a group particularly despatched to Istanbul and who left the identical day”.
Riyadh vehemently denies the declare and says Khashoggi left the consulate.
Turkey on Monday sought permission to go looking the consulate premises, Turkish NTV broadcaster reported.
The transfer got here after the overseas ministry summoned the Saudi ambassador for a second time on Sunday over the journalist’s disappearance.
A Turkish diplomat confirmed on Monday that the Saudi envoy had met deputy overseas minister Sedat Onal.
“The ambassador was informed that we anticipated full cooperation through the investigation,” the supply mentioned. The ambassador was first summoned to the ministry on Wednesday.
Erdogan mentioned Turkish police and intelligence have been investigating the case.
“The airport exits and entrances are being examined. There are individuals who got here from Saudi Arabia,” he mentioned. “The chief prosecutor’s workplace is investigating the problem.”