Khashoggi killing a ‘political murder’: Erdogan

to Saudi Arabia, “indicating they planned the murder”.

Khashoggi (59), a Washington Post columnist and critic of MBS, disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate on October 2.

So far, Erdogan had remained largely silent on the case, although unnamed Turkish officials have leaked information about his killing, including information over a 15-member Saudi “assassination team” who flew into Istanbul on two chartered planes.

In the wake of intense global pressure, Saudi Arabia admitted last week that Khashoggi was killed inside its Istanbul consulate on October 2 as a result of a “fistfight” during an interrogation.

Saudi authorities arrested 18 people in connection with the killing and fired top security officials considered close to bin Salman.

Erdogan called the killing a “political murder”, adding that international investigators should be included in the probe.

The Turkish leader called Khashoggi’s killing “savage”, adding that Ankara continue its investigation until all questions have been answered.

“Why did they [the Saudi team] come to Istanbul, on instruction by whom?” Erdogan asked, adding that Saudi Arabia should make clear why it did not let investigators into the consulate until days later.

Galip Dalay, visiting scholar at University of Oxford, stressed the significance of Erdogan’s speech.

“The most important thing is that Erdogan confirmed everything we sort of heard through other channels,” he told Al Jazeera. “However, now it’s no longer attributed to unnamed Turkish officials, but it’s the president of Turkey who has confirmed what has happened,” Dalay said.

Erdogan also demanded answers on what happened to Khashoggi’s body, mentioning reports that a local cooperator allegedly disposed of it.

“Where is the body? There are claims his body has been given to a local person, but who is this local person,” Erdogan asked.

“Nobody is allowed to think this case will come to an end without answering all these questions,” he

added.

The Turkish president also said Saudi Arabia was taking the right steps by working with Ankara on the investigation and carrying out the 18 arrests.

Dalay, who is also a non-resident fellow at Brookings Institution Doha, underlined Erdogan’s “distinction” in his speech between King Salman and his son, the powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS).

“Everything that Erdogan provided pointed towards MBS, without naming the crown prince specifically,” said Dalay, adding that the Turkish president was clearly trying to prevent a full-blown crisis between Ankara and Riyadh.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said on Monday he’s not satisfied with the explanations he’s heard about the death of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi and is awaiting reports from US personnel returning from the region. — AFP