Saudis strangled journalist, Turks say

ISTANBUL — Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi was strangled almost as soon as he stepped into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul a month ago, and his body was then dismembered and destroyed, the chief prosecutor for Istanbul said on Wednesday, giving the first official explanation from Turkey of how Khashoggi died.

The announcement came as the Turkish and Saudi chief prosecutors ended three days of meetings as part of a joint investigation into Khashoggi’s murder without progress and Turkey seemed to be ratcheting up its pressure for answers.

The killing of Khashoggi has significantly raised tensions between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. A statement from Irfan Fidan, the chief prosecutor for Istanbul, said meetings with his Saudi counterpart were largely unproductive.

Turkish officials had previously revealed details about the Oct. 2 death of Khashoggi, but always anonymously.

The decision to release information, on the record, about Khashoggi’s death was an indication of Turkey’s frustration with the failure of the Saudis to answer three key questions: Where was Khashoggi’s body? Had Saudi investigators uncovered evidence of premeditation? And who was the “local collaborator” who is said to have disposed of his remains?

The questions were asked and submitted in writing in consecutive meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday, Fidan’s statement said.

The Saudi prosecutor promised an answer Wednesday.

Instead, the Turkish prosecutor was invited to visit Saudi Arabia with his evidence and conduct joint interrogations of the 18 Saudis who have been detained in connection with the killing.

That response prompted Fidan to announce publicly Turkey’s conclusions about the cause of death of the journalist, who wrote pieces for the Washington Post.