Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu
The case of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is not only a global matter, but also a test for the Turkish judiciary Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said on Wednesday.
Speaking at Anadolu Agency Editor's Desk, Soylu said, "There is an agreement, but for the search to start, there must be a joint consensus. The joint consensus is on the wait."
"Once a joint consensus is reached, this step [to search the residence] will be taken," he added.
Soylu further stressed that if permission to search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul was granted earlier, there would not be "any debates" regarding incident.
Yeni Şafak daily has obtained information indicating that there are numerous voice recordings from inside the Saudi consulate located in Turkey’s Istanbul where missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered on Oct. 2 and never reemerged.In one of the recordings, Saudi Arabia's Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi, who left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday, can be heard saying: “If you want to live, be quiet!”First torture, then executionSources indicate that Khashoggi was tortured before he was killed. His fingers were allegedly cut off during the interrogation process before he was decapitated.The consul general can be heard saying: “Do this outside. You’re going to get me in trouble.”US Secretary of State Pompeo lands in AnkaraKhashoggi has long been feared killed after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.He moved to Washington last year fearing retribution for his criticism of Prince Mohammed, who has cracked down on dissent with arrests.On same day Khashoggi went missing, 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, including a forensic expert, have since left Turkey.Europe may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel allyKhashoggi killing took seven minutes“It took seven minutes for Jamal Khashoggi to die, a Turkish source who has listened in full to an audio recording of the Saudi journalist's last moments,” told the Middle East Eye.The source said Khashoggi was “dragged from the Consul General’s office at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and onto the table of his study next door. The screaming stopped when Khashoggi was injected with an as yet unknown substance. Head of forensic evidence in the Saudi general security department Salah Muhammad al-Tubaigy began to cut Khashoggi’s body up on a table in the study while he was still alive. As he started to dismember the body, Tubaigy put on earphones and listened to music. He advised other members of the squad to do the same.”'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'Khashoggi disappearance tops global agendaSince Khashoggi’s disappearance, many global media outlets have claimed that recordings of his death inside the consulate exist.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.Police found “certain evidence” of Khashoggi’s slaying at the consulate, a high-level Turkish official told the Associated Press on Tuesday.Saudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEOTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi case
Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still alive
"We have managed and are continuing to manage this issue transparently and open to the world within the measures given by law," he said.
Following permission for a search of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, Turkish and Saudi officials are to search the residence of the Saudi consul concerning the case of a missing journalist.
Amid the ongoing investigation of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi however, Saudi Arabia's Consul General in Istanbul Mohammad al-Otaibi left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday.
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. US's Pompeo to meet President Erdoğan, Turkish counterpartTrump says Saudi prince denies knowledge of Khashoggi caseSaudi owes Khashoggi family apology: US newspaper CEO
'Turkey to solve Saudi journalist case'
Khashoggi has long been feared killed at the consulate after he entered the Saudi Consulate building in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.
On the 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.
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
'Wait for outcome of probe'
Turkey has shown two qualities in handling the case, namely staying calm and acting in line with the law, said Soylu.
"[Turkey] obeyed international agreements but at the same time took open and transparent actions [on the case]," he added.
Soylu also urged the international community to wait for the final outcome of the investigation.
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara on Wednesday, again offered U.S. assistance in Turkey's investigation into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the U.S. State Department said."The Secretary also expressed the United States' concern over Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance," the department said in a statement following their meeting. Video: President Erdoğan, US’ Pompeo meet in Ankara'Prince Salman can't quash murder probe': Wasington Post columnUAE Crown Prince Zayed’s army of assassinsChinese daily slams approach of US over Khashoggi caseTurkey hopes to enter Saudi consul’s residence on Wednesday: FMUS senator blasts Trump over Khashoggi case
Pompeo tells Erdoğan US willing to aid Khashoggi probe