Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
‘Bits of butchered Khashoggi found in consulate garden’
Defence and Security Editor
BODY parts of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi are said to have been found by police in the garden of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Yesterday’s grisly discovery came as Turkey dismissed Saudi claims he was killed by “rogue” operatives.
Khashoggi’s face had been “disfigured” and his body cut up, said reports. Police are also said to have found two cases full of his belongings in a consulate vehicle.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan insisted the person who ordered the death must “be brought to account” isolating Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, 33, who has taken over day-to-day running of the kingdom.
Prince Salman has been widely blamed for the death. Mr Erdogan spoke by phone with relatives of the slain journalist pledging Turkey will try to solve his murder.
Yesterday Prince Salman and his father King Salman, 82, met Khashoggi’s son Salah and brother Sahel in Riyadh to “offer their condolences.”
Salah, thought to be banned from leaving Saudi Arabia, was pictured awkwardly shaking hands with the Crown Prince.
Meanwhile, in a speech to his party, Erdogan said it was clear Saudi Arabia had “pre-planned” the operation. He added: “Pinning such a case on some security and intelligence members will not satisfy us or the international community.
“From the person who gave the order, to the person who carried it out, they must all be brought to account.”
His speech coincided with the opening of an investment conference which Western political figures, top bankers and company executives have boycotted.
Washington Post columnist Khashoggi, a critic of the Crown Prince, disappeared three weeks ago after going to the consulate to get documents for his marriage.
The Saudis initially denied knowledge of the 59-yearold’s fate then claimed he was killed in a fight inside.
A large team of security officials arrived in Istanbul from Saudi Arabia before the murder. It is thought King Salman is under pressure to replace the Crown Prince.