5 key questions

1: Did Jamal Khashoggi want to return to Saudi Arabia?

The Saudis say that the “suspects” travelled to Turkey to meet Khashoggi as he had suggested he wanted to return home. Khashoggi had travelled to the consulate with his fiancee, Turkish national Hatice Cengiz, who says he wanted a document that would allow them to wed. Friends say he had bought a home in Istanbul and planned to split his time between there and the US.

2: Why did at least 15 men travel to Istanbul?

The Saudi Government account suggests there was a discussion, but it turned into a “a fight”. Saudi Arabia says it has detained 18 people and Ankara says 15 Saudis arrived at the consulate and left hours later. Why such a big group for a talk about a willing return?

3: Why was there a forensic expert and security forces? If

this was just a talk, why send security agents? The Washington Post has found that at least 12 had some link to the security services. Salah Muhammed al-Tubaigy, was a forensic expert known for rapid and mobile autopsies. Bruce Riedel, an ex-CIA official, said: “I can’t think of an alternative of why you would need a forensics expert unless you were covering up evidence of a crime.”

4: What happened to Khashoggi’s body?

The Saudi statement did not reveal what happened to the body. When Khashoggi didn’t return Cengiz raised the alarm. Saudi officials told reporters that he had left by a back entrance.

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5: How could the crown prince not have known?

The Saudi account makes no suggestion that Mohammed bin Salman knew about it. “This never would have happened without MBS’s approval. Never, never, never,” a former senior US diplomat told the Post. Saud al-Qahtani, an adviser to the prince, was fired. He had previously been behind attempts to lure Khashoggi home, according to US officials. Last year he tweeted: “Do you think I can act by myself without taking orders/guidance? I am an employee and a trustworthy executive to the orders of the king and the crown prince.”