Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with family members of the slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi on Tuesday and sent them his condolences, pledging Turkey would do all it can to solve his murder, presidential sources said.
They said Erdoğan had expressed his deep sadness at Khashoggi's killing in his call with the family members, including Khashoggi's son Abdullah.
Khashoggi vanished after entering the consulate on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.
He was a U.S. resident who wrote columns for the Washington Post and a critic of the Saudi government, calling for reforms.
After denying any involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi, 59, for two weeks, Saudi Arabia on Saturday morning said he had died in a fistfight at the consulate. An hour later, another Saudi official attributed the death to a chokehold, which a senior official reiterated.
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said Tuesday he was "deeply concerned" at Turkey's description of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder as "premeditated".Hunt’s remarks came shortly after a statement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the case which has drawn strong reactions from across the world.“The world is still waiting for answers,” Hunt said on Twitter.Khashoggi, a columnist for Washington Post, went missing on Oct. 2 after he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.After days of denying to know his whereabouts, Saudi Arabia last week claimed Khashoggi died during a fight inside the consulate.Saudi king, crown prince meet Khashoggi family membersOn the day of Khashoggi’s disappearance, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while he was still inside, according to Turkish police sources. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.Speaking at a party meeting, Erdogan said Turkey has strong evidence that the murder was preplanned."Murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated," Erdogan said.On Monday, Hunt rejected the explanation provided by Saudi Arabia over the murder.Hunt said the questions of "who authorized the dispatch of 15 officials from Saudi Arabia to Istanbul?", "when the Riyadh government first learned of Khashoggi’s death?", "why there was a delay in allowing investigators into the consulate?" and "why Khashoggi’s death was not disclosed until Oct. 19, some 17 days after it happened?" must be answered by the Saudi government.Erdoğan: Evidence shows Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered“The actions Britain and our allies take will depend on two things: firstly the credibility of the final explanation given by Saudi Arabia, and secondly on our confidence that such an appalling episode cannot - and will not - be repeated,” Hunt added.Also reacting to Erdogan’s speech, Prime Minister Theresa May's spokesman said the Turkish president had directed some questions to Saudi officials.Sky News reported the spokesman as saying that the statement by Turkish president underscores the fact that questions over the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi remain which only the Saudis have answers to.
UK 'concerned' to hear Khashoggi murder 'premeditated'
Saudi king Salman received family members of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Riyadh, state news agency SPA reported on Tuesday.They included his son, Salah bin Jamal Khashoggi, and the meeting was also attended by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, SPA said.Saudi Press Agency releases a picture of Jamal Khashoggi's son meeting Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh pic.twitter.com/oyqNLbBZQ4— TRT World (@trtworld) 23 Ekim 2018 King Salman: Saudi Arabia to hold to account those involved in Khashoggi killing
Saudi king, crown prince meet Khashoggi family members
Saudi Arabia will hold to account those responsible of journalist Jamal Khashoggi's killing and those who failed in their duties, whoever they are, the Saudi cabinet said after a meeting chaired by King Salman on Tuesday.Khashoggi went missing on Oct. 2 when he entered the consulate in Istanbul. After weeks of denying knowledge of his fate, Saudi officials said the prominent journalist was killed in a "rogue operation".Britain says questions remain over Khashoggi killing, only Saudis have answersDid Saudi intel officer Mutreb smuggle Khashoggi’s dismembered body abroad?Saudi Arabia ‘in crisis’ over Khashoggi: MinisterHow the man behind Khashoggi murder ran the killing via SkypeErdoğan: Evidence shows Jamal Khashoggi was brutally murdered
King Salman: Saudi Arabia to hold to account those involved in Khashoggi killing