Indonesian journalists urge clarity on Khashoggi case

Pompeo tells Erdoğan US willing to aid Khashoggi probe

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

Chinese daily slams approach of US over Khashoggi case

A Chinese daily criticized the U.S for its “double standards” toward the case of a Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who went missing after entering Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier this month.In an editorial with a headline “Khashoggi case tests Washington’s attitude to human rights,” Global Times said U.S. President Donald Trump promised punishment if the Riyadh’s involvement in Khashoggi's death is confirmed but he doesn't support stopping weapon sales to Saudi Arabia."The crisis has shown how human rights issues are positioned in the diplomatic arena. Killing a journalist for political reasons touches the bottom line of individual rights and causes wide resonance beyond national borders,” the daily wrote."The price it (Saudi Arabia) will pay depends on whether the Trump administration will let it off the hook for the sake of US commercial interests and geopolitical calculations," it is said.Turkey hopes to enter Saudi consul’s residence on Wednesday: FMKhashoggi has long been feared killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after he entered on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.On the 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 U.K. -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible.The daily compared the approach of the West toward missing Saudi journalist and former Russian agent Sergei Skripal's poisoning in the U.K. in March.It said the Western countries -- led by the Britain -- took an immediate action against Russia by expelling Russian diplomats after former Russian agent Sergei Skripal got poisoned in the city of Salisbury in early 2018, but there were very few denunciations from the West against Saudi Arabia upon Khashoggi's disappearance."Now Western public opinion is much angrier toward Saudi Arabia. Spontaneous boycotts quickly took place. But in contrast, fewer denunciations come from the Western governments and no country is taking the lead in punishing Saudi Arabia," the newspaper added.Saudi consul general leaves Turkey for RiyadhSergei Skripal and his daughter were admitted to a hospital after being found unconscious on March 4 in the English city of Salisbury. They have both since been discharged.Police officer Bailey, who was among the first to respond to the incident, also received treatment after being poisoned.Sergei Skripal was granted refuge in the U.K. following a 2010 spy exchange between the U.S. and Russia. Before the exchange, he had been serving a 13-year prison term for leaking information to British intelligence.The British government has claimed that in the most debated incident in Salisbury last March, two Russian military intelligence agents who were identified as Ruslan Boshirov and Alexander Petrov used a banned nerve agent called novichok targeting former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia.Leading US senator accuses Saudi prince of ordering Khashoggi killingEvidence found in Saudi consulate proving Khashoggi was killed there

US senator blasts Trump over Khashoggi case

A prominent U.S. senator has blasted U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to the disappearance of a Saudi journalist, suggesting he may be thinking more about his wallet than solving the case."The Saudis bailed out Donald Trump’s failed businesses for years. How much money did he take?” Senator Elizabeth Warren, a likely Democratic Party challenger to Trump seeking a second term, said on Twitter late Tuesday.“What's the going rate to get the President to act as a mouthpiece for a Saudi king? Trump should release his tax returns so we can find out," she added.Spain 'concerned' on case of missing Saudi journalistTrump has suggested that “rogue killers” may be responsible for the presumed death of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist who went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. On the same day Khashoggi disappeared, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the building while was also inside, according to Turkish police sources. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.A joint Turkish-Saudi team has been investigating the disappearance, including through a search of the consulate with Saudi permission.Five Khashoggi suspects linked to crown prince: NY TimesTrump gives Saudi Arabia benefit of doubt in journalist's disappearance'Khashoggi case not only global matter, also a test for Turkish judiciary'Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still alive

Israel using Saudi statements on Khashoggi: Official

An Israeli security official said Israel is relying on official statements coming from Saudi Arabia regarding missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi."Tel Aviv is counting on statements made by Saudi Arabia, not stories coming out from Turkey," the official told the London-based Elaph newspaper, requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to media.The Israeli official argued that reports emerging from Turkey “were not based on evidence” and that Tel Aviv indirectly stood with Riyadh over the case.Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still aliveHe said Israel was waiting for the completion of a Saudi-Turkish joint probe into Khashoggi’s disappearance.The security official claimed that international media was counting on social media accounts while reporting on Khashoggi’s case, instead of Saudi sources.The official’s statement is the first reaction coming from Israel regarding the disappearance of the veteran Saudi journalist.Five Khashoggi suspects linked to crown prince: NY TimesAccording to Elaph, the Israeli media did not give much coverage to the case.Yossi Melman, a security analyst from Israel's Maariv Daily, had previously argued that Israeli intelligence service Mossad might have been involved in Khashoggi’s case."I hope that Mossad doesn't have a hand in the murder of Khashoggi, not even indirectly," he had said.He cited that Mossad had been involved in the abduction of Mehdi Ben Berka, a Moroccan opposition leader who disappeared in Paris in 1956.Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post newspaper, has long been feared killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul after he entered on Oct. 2 and was never seen exiting.US's Pompeo to meet President Erdoğan, Turkish counterpartOn Monday, Turkish and Saudi officials searched the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul after the start of a joint probe into the missing journalist.Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of what happened to Khashoggi, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S., and the U.K. -- are pressing for the mystery to be cleared up as soon as possible.

Five Khashoggi suspects linked to crown prince: NY Times

Some of the suspects identified by Turkey in the disappearance of a Saudi journalist in Istanbul had ties to Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, according to a New York Times report on the case."The New York Times has confirmed independently that at least nine of 15 suspects identified by Turkish authorities worked for the Saudi security services, military or other government ministries," the newspaper reported late Tuesday, referring to the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared after entering the the Saudi Consulate on Oct. 2.The Times has frequently cited "Turkish officials" supposedly giving details of the case, but without giving any names.Trump gives Saudi Arabia benefit of doubt in journalist's disappearanceIt stated that one of the suspects was a “frequent companion” of Salman who was alongside the crown prince during visits to Paris, Madrid, Houston, Boston, and the UN, publishing photos showing the suspect in Salman’s entourage.Three other suspects were part of Salman’s security detail, said the story.A fifth suspect was said to be a forensic science expert holding a senior position in the Saudi Interior Ministry and country's medical institutes.President Erdoğan, US’ Pompeo meet in AnkaraUnclear fateKhashoggi is feared killed after he entered the consulate and was never seen exiting.On 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 U.K. -- have pressed for the matter to be cleared up as soon as possible.'Khashoggi case not only global matter, also a test for Turkish judiciary'"Turkish officials have said they possess evidence that the 15 Saudi agents flew into Istanbul on Oct. 2, assassinated Mr. Khashoggi, dismembered his body with a bone saw they had brought for the purpose, and flew out the same day,” reported the Times, without giving the names of the officials reportedly cited.“Records show that two private jets chartered by a Saudi company with close ties to the Saudi crown prince and Interior Ministry arrived and left Istanbul on the day of Mr. Khashoggi’s disappearance," the story added.Five reported suspectsFive suspects linked to Khashoggi’s disappearance were named in the Times story.Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, one of the suspects, was a diplomat in the Saudi Embassy in London and has travelled frequently with the crown prince, perhaps as a bodyguard, said the Times.Recordings reveal Khashoggi tortured then dismembered while still aliveAbdulaziz Mohammed al-Hawsawi, said to work on Salman’s security team and for the Saudi royal family, was identified as a second suspect.A third suspect was said to be Thaar Ghaleb al-Harbi, who was promoted last year to lieutenant in the Saudi royal guard for his bravery in the defense of Mohammed’s palace in Jeddah.A fourth suspect, Muhammed Saad Alzahrani, was another member of the royal guard.Rounding out the suspects was Salah al-Tubaigy, a forensic doctor and reported autopsy expert.Europe may need to change Saudi policies over Khashoggi case: Merkel ally

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