Erdogan asks for ‘proof’ journalist left consulate

ANKARA: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday asked Saudi officials to prove their claim that missing journalist and Riyadh critic Jamal Khashoggi left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Erdogan’s comments’ came after media reports said his government sought permission from Saudi authorities to search the consulate premises in Istanbul. Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, vanished last Tuesday after entering the consulate to receive official documents ahead of his marriage to a Turkish woman.

“Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building... Don’t you have a camera?” Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest. “If he left, you have to prove it with footage. Those who ask Turkish authorities where he is should ask what happened.” Police said at the weekend that around 15 Saudis, including officials, arrived in Istanbul on two flights on Tuesday and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi.

A Turkish government source told AFP at the weekend that the police believe the journalist “was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day”. Riyadh vehemently denies the claim and says Khashoggi left the consulate. Turkey yesterday sought permission to search the consulate premises, Turkish NTV broadcaster reported.

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ISTANBUL: Nobel Peace Prize laureate Yemeni Tawakkol Karman and Egyptian opposition politician Ayman Nour hold pictures of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a demonstration in front of the Saudi consulate yesterday.