AK Party's Deputy Chairman and Spokesman Ömer Çelik
Turkey will do everything to solve the missing Saudi journalist's case, ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party spokesman Ömer Çelik said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters after the party's central executive board meeting, he said: “Turkey will do everything to solve missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s case and share the outcome with the entire world.”
Khashoggi has long been feared killed after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.
On same day, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.
When asked about reports that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate and his body was chopped into pieces, Çelik said: “We will clear all the questions but now Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is in charge of the investigation and let’s wait how it concludes the case.”
Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, as several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K. -- are pressing for the case to be cleared up as soon as possible.
Saudi Arabia's Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad al-Otaibi also left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday amid reports that his residence will be searched as part of an ongoing investigation, according to diplomatic sources.
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdoğan will meet with U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Ankara on Wednesday, the Turkish foreign ministry said, with their talks expected to focus on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu will also meet his U.S. counterpart, the ministry said.Saudi currency at weakest in two years on Khashoggi caseSaudi king orders probe in Khashoggi case, Turkey to search consulateKuwait says it rejects 'campaign against Saudi Arabia'JP Morgan and Ford cancel plans for Saudi investor eventErdoğan, Saudi King discuss Khashoggi case over phoneUS Treasury Secretary Mnuchin still plans to attend upcoming Saudi summit
US's Pompeo to meet President Erdoğan, Turkish counterpart
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman unwaveringly denies knowledge of what happened to missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi, U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday."Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate," Trump said on Twitter. "He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into this matter.""Answers will be forthcoming shortly," he added.Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2 when he was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.Trump is facing pressure from lawmakers to sanction Saudi Arabia for the disappearance as speculation continues to mount that Khashoggi was killed inside the diplomatic building.Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, said Tuesday that bin Salman "murdered" the missing Washington Post columnist, warning that he would "sanction the hell out of" Riyadh in retaliation."This guy is a wrecking ball, he had this guy murdered in a consulate in Turkey, and to expect me to ignore it, I feel used and abused," Graham said on the Fox Friends morning news television program."Saudi Arabia, if you're listening, there are a lot of good people you can choose but MBS has tainted your country and tainted himself," he added using the crown prince's acronym.The Saudis have denied killing Khashoggi.He was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on the same day 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in the Turkish city on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was inside, Turkish police sources said.All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.Saudi Arabia's Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad al-Otaibi left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources.His departure comes as Turkish and Saudi officials are preparing to search al-Otaibi's residence, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said requesting anonymity.Saudi consul general leaves Turkey for RiyadhLeading US senator accuses Saudi prince of ordering Khashoggi killingEvidence found in Saudi consulate proving Khashoggi was killed thereDutch minister unlikely to attend Saudi conference after journalist's disappearanceDissident prince says Saudi planned vanishing act for him as Khashoggi case heats up
Trump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi case
The Washington Post newspaper on Tuesday called on Saudi Arabia to give an honest account of what happened to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Khashoggi is a columnist for the Post, and contributed to the newspaper often with frequent pieces on the Saudi government.Publisher and CEO Fred Ryan said Khashoggi's family deserves an apology for what transpired in the last few weeks."The government of Saudi Arabia owes the Khashoggi family and the world a full and honest explanation of everything that happened to him, and we support the requests from Jamal’s family and the United Nations for an international investigation," Ryan said in a statement.Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after he entered on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.Spain calls for urgent investigation into disappearance of Saudi journalistSaudi currency at weakest in two years on Khashoggi caseOn that same day, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the building while Khashoggi was still inside, Turkish police sources said. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the UK -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible."The Saudi government can no longer remain silent, and it is essential that our own government and others push harder for the truth. Until we have a full account and full accountability, it cannot be business as usual with the Saudi government,” Ryan added.The statement comes after prominent names in business and the media have pulled out of the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh.The New York Times, CNN and CNBC networks announced they would not be sponsoring the conference next week amid the global outcry over Khashoggi's disappearance.JP Morgan and Ford cancel plans for Saudi investor eventIran says it won't comment yet on missing journalist Khashoggi caseBahrain minister backs boycott of Uber over Khashoggi case
Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEO