Reports Saudis will admit death
ISTANBUL: Turkish and Saudi teams investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi two weeks ago left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul yesterday after a ninehour search of the building, Reuters witnesses said.
While the search was being carried out, CNN and the New York Times reported that Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge Khashoggi’s death in a botched interrogation and United States President Donald Trump speculated ‘‘rogue killers’’ may be responsible. The consulate was the last place Khashoggi was seen before he vanished on October 2.
Trump dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to meet King Salman over the case that has strained the Americans’ relationship with the Saudis, carefully cultivated by the US President.
A Turkish crime scene investigation team of around 10 people left the consulate before 5am (2pm NZ time) after completing a search, one witness said. A Turkish prosecutor left around an hour and ahalf later, followed shortly after by a Saudi team that departed in three vehicles, another witness said.
Four forensic vehicles arrived outside the consulate and took away soil samples as well as a metal door from the garden, the Reuters witness said. A police dog was part of the search team.
A Turkish diplomatic source had earlier said that a joint TurkishSaudi team would search the consulate.
Khashoggi, a US resident, Washington Post columnist and leading critic of the powerful Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, vanished after entering the consulate in Istanbul to get marriage documents. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed.
Citing two unidentified sources, CNN reported on Monday that Saudi Arabia was preparing a report that would acknowledge Khashoggi was killed as the result of an interrogation that went wrong. The Saudi Government could not be reached immediately for comment on the CNN report.
The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the Saudi plans, reported the Crown Prince had approved an interrogation or rendition of Khashoggi back to Saudi Arabia. The Saudi Government, it said, would shield the prince by blaming an intelligence official for the bungled operation.
The case has provoked an international outcry against Saudi Arabia, the world’s top oil exporter. Media and business executives continue to pull out of a planned investment conference there this month.
Members of Khashoggi’s family called for an investigation, in a statement released on Monday.
‘‘We are sadly and anxiously following the conflicting news regarding the fate of our father after losing contact with him two weeks ago,’’ they said.
‘‘The strong moral and legal responsibility which our father instilled in us obliges us to call for the establishment of an independent and impartial international commission to inquire into the circumstances of his death.’’