Erdogan says Jamal Khashoggi murder was pre- planned

■ Erdogan says whereabouts of Khashoggi body not known

Ankara, Oct. 23: Turkish President Tay- yip Erdogan on Tuesday dismissed attempts by Riyadh to blame Jamal Khashoggi’s “savage” killing on rogue operatives, saying the person who ordered the death of the prominent Saudi journalist must “be brought to account”.

In a speech to Parliament about a case that has sparked outrage around the globe, Erdogan did not mention Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who some US lawmakers suspect ordered the killing.

But he said Turkey would not complete its investigation into Khashoggi’s death until all questions were answered.

“Intelligence and security institutions have evidence showing the murder was planned.... Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community,” he said. “From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account.”

Erdogan said the whereabouts of Khashoggi’s body were still unknown and he demanded Saudi Arabia reveal the identity of a “local cooperator” who purportedly took the body. Erdogan’s speech coincided with the opening of an investment conference which Western political figures, leading international bankers and company executives have boycotted because of furore around Khashoggi’s death.