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Turkey has vowed to reveal all details about the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, after Saudi Arabia admitted for the first time he had been killed in its consulate in Istanbul.
“Turkey will reveal whatever had happened. Nobody should ever doubt about it,” said Omer Celik, spokesman for the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Anadolu news agency reported.
Turkish officials previously said he had been deliberately killed inside the consulate, and his body dismembered. Earlier this week, unnamed Turkish officials told media outlets they had audio and visual evidence to prove this.
This led to Riyadh’s admission which was the result of persistent claims by the Saudi authorities that the journalist had left the consulate alive.
Mr Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of the Islamic petro-state’s powerful crown prince, was last seen on 2 October entering his country’s consulate in Istanbul.Turkish police and prosecutors this week searched both the consulate as well as the consul’s residence in Istanbul.
The kingdom also announced the sacking of a top intelligence official Ahmad al-Assiri and royal court media adviser Saud al-Qahtani, both top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has faced mounting pressure over the Khashoggi affair.
However, there is scepticism about the line adopted by Saudi, suspecting a coverup. “Turkey will never allow a cover-up,” the ruling party spokesperson said.
