Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud
A Saudi prince living in exile in Germany, Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud, has claimed that authorities of the Kingdom planned to kidnap him, resembling the plot against prominent journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to British publication the Independent.
Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and leading critic of the Saudi crown prince, vanished after entering the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. Turkish officials say they believe he was murdered there and his body removed, which the Saudis strongly deny.
The prince said that they had planned this plot against him just 10 days before Khashoggi went missing.
“Over 30 times the Saudi authorities have told me to meet them in the Saudi embassy but I have refused every time,” he said.
“I know what can happen if I go into the embassy,” said the 41-year-old prince.
He added that the authorities promised his family a large cheque if the prince agreed to come to Egypt to meet regime officials at the consulate.
CNN and the New York Times reported Saudi Arabia was preparing to acknowledge Khashoggi's death in a botched interrogation, after denying for two weeks any role in his disappearance.
“Just five days ago a group tried to visit King Salman saying they were afraid for the future of the al-Saud family, they mentioned Mr Khashoggi’s case. They were all put in jail,” he added.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Tuesday expressed concern about the disappearance of dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a meeting in Riyadh with the country's foreign minister and thanked Saudi King Salman for his commitment to investigating it, the State Department said.Pompeo met with both King Salman and Foreign Minister Ahmed al-Jubeir. "The secretary reiterated U.S. concern over Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance" in his meeting with the foreign minister, State Department Heather Nauert said in a statement. Pompeo meets Saudi king over Khashoggi case, Turks to search consul's residenceUS Secretary of State to have dinner with Saudi crown princePompeo to visit Turkey after Riyadh over Khashoggi
Pompeo tells Saudis US is concerned about Khashoggi
Some materials at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul where journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago have been painted over, Turkey's President Tayyip Erdoğan said on Tuesday.Speaking after Turkish police entered the consulate for the first time and searched the premises for nine hours, Erdoğan also told reporters that they were looking into toxic materials at the mission.Turkish officials have told Reuters that authorities have an audio recording indicating that Khashoggi was killed in the consulate, and have shared evidence with countries including Saudi Arabia and the United States. Saudi Arabia has denied any role in Khashoggi's disappearance.UN rights chief Bachelet calls for lifting of immunity in Khashoggi case"My hope is that we can reach conclusions that will give us a reasonable opinion as soon as possible, because the investigation is looking into many things such as toxic materials and those materials being removed by painting them over," Erdoğan told reporters in Ankara.A Turkish diplomatic source said the investigators planned to widen their search on Tuesday to the residence of the Saudi consul. Turkish television channels have previously shown footage of a large vehicle leaving the consulate two hours after Khashoggi vanished and parking at the consul's residence.Video: Erdoğan: Some materials at Saudi consulate painted overKhashoggi’s family calls for international inquiryTurkey could take needed steps east of EuphratesFollowing two major anti-terror operations in Syria, Turkey’s president warned on Tuesday that Turkey could also take decisive steps against the PKK/YPG terrorist presence east of the Euphrates River."If the necessary steps are not taken [by the U.S.] to the east of the Euphrates [against PKK/YPG] ... we will take the necessary steps at the highest level," Erdoğan told his party's parliamentary group.Erdoğan said that Turkey would take measures in the area "not only for the peace of our country but also for the people living in this region."US continues to arm PKK terrorists in Syria under the pretext of fighting Daesh"Up to now, Turkey has determinedly taken steps, and it will continue to do so," he added, referring to Turkey's cross-border operations in Syria since 2016 -- Operation Euphrates Shield and Operation Olive Branch -- meant to rid border areas of terrorist groups such as the PKK/PYD.In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK has taken 40,000 lives, including many women and children. The YPG is its Syrian branch.Erdoğan also said the government has prepared the first budget under Turkey's new presidential system."We will submit the 2019 budget to parliament tomorrow," he said.After the Planning and Budget Commission debates the budget, it would then proceed to the general assembly.Turkey’s MHP demands operation in eastern Euphrates
Erdoğan says some material at Saudi consulate painted over
Khashoggi, a familiar face on Arab talk shows, moved to Washington last year fearing retribution for his criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent with arrests.
The New York Times, citing a person familiar with the Saudi plans, reported the crown prince had approved an interrogation or abduction of Khashoggi. The Saudi government, it said, would shield the prince by blaming an intelligence official for the bungled operation.