Turkey searches consulate again; Trump awaits Pompeo report

ISTANBUL: Turkish investigators searched the Saudi consulate in Istanbul overnight as part of a probe into Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance, while US President Donald Trump said he did not want to abandon his Saudi ally over the missing journalist.

The crimescene team left the Saudi consulate yesterday evening after searching the building and consular vehicles, a Reuters witness said. They used bright lights to illuminate the garden, although it was unclear what they were doing.

Earlier, investigators spent nearly nine hours in the Saudi consul’s residence before leaving, as did Saudi investigators. The Turkish team’s search included the roof and garage and the deployment of a drone.

Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist who was critical of the authoritarian kingdom’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 and his body removed.

The Saudis have denied the allegations.

Trump said yesterday he was waiting for a full report on the matter from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, whom he sent to Saudi Arabia and Turkey to meet officials over Khashoggi’s disap pearance. He and Pompeo were to meet at 3am today (NZ time).

Trump said the United States had asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence.

Turkish sources have told Reuters the authorities have an audio recording indicating Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Turkey’s progovernment Yeni Safak newspaper published yesterday what it said were details from audio recordings that purported to document his torture and interrogation.

The newspaper said Khashoggi was killed within minutes and his torturers severed his fingers during the interrogation, then beheaded and dismembered him.

Turkey had not shared graphic audio or video evidence with the US government or European allies, seven US and European security officials told Reuters. The United States and allies had collected some intelligence through their own sources and methods that partly confirmed news reports based on leaks of audio recordings, four of the sources said.

A New York Times report cited a senior Turkish official confirming the details published by Yeni Safak. Two Turkish government officials contacted by Reuters declined to confirm the report.