Khashoggi: Turkey demands to know where murdered journalist's body is
'This case cannot be covered up, and we are expecting close cooperation from Saudi authorities'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Turkey wants Saudi authorities to tell them where Jamal Khashoggi’s body is, after authorities in Riyadh admitted the dissident journalist was murdered in a premeditated attack at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
“We are looking for answers to the question of where the body is,” Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul told reporters on Thursday.
“This case cannot be covered up, and we are expecting close cooperation from Saudi authorities on the investigation we are conducting transparently and meticulously.”
He added: “We want the Saudi authorities to enter into close cooperation with us. They have to support [the probe] so that the entire incident is brought to light.”
Under mounting international pressure, Saudi Arabia has changed its narrative on Mr Khashoggi’s death several times.
The Saudi government initially denied Khashoggi had been killed, but then said he died in an unplanned “rogue operation”. Last week, the kingdom’s public prosecutor said the attack was premeditated.
Turkey said on Wednesday that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate on 2 October and his body was then dismembered and disposed of.
This version of events conflicts with a report by pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak published last month, which cited what it described as an audio recording of Mr Khashoggi being tortured before being killed.
Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 suspects who have been detained in Saudi Arabia so that they can be put on trial in Turkey.
They include 15 members of an alleged “hit squad” that Turkey says was sent to Istanbul to kill the 59-year-old journalist, who lived in exile in the United States and had written critically of Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Some of those implicated in the killing are close to the prince whose condemnation of the killing has failed to ease suspicions that he was involved.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments