Journalist’s murder ‘plotted in advance’

TURKEY’S president has said Saudi officials murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate after plotting his death for days.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan contradicted Saudi Arabia’s explanation that the writer was accidentally killed and demanded that the kingdom reveals the identities of all involved, regardless of their rank.

Mr Erdogan also said he wants Saudi Arabia to allow 18 suspects that it detained for the Saudi’s killing to be tried in Turkish courts. The Saudi government has said it is conducting its own investigation and will punish those involved.

“To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community,” Mr Erdogan said in a speech to ruling party MPs in parliament.

“Saudi Arabia has taken an important step by admitting the murder. As of now we expect of them to openly bring to light those responsible – from the highest ranked to the lowest – and to bring them to justice,” the Turkish president said.

Meanwhile, Downing Street has described as “deeply disturbing” reports that body parts of the Saudi journalist have been found in Istanbul.

Sky News reported sources suggesting that the writer’s body had been cut up and his face disfigured.