Turkey: Khashoggi was strangled in Saudi consulate before his body was dismembered
Dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered Saudi Arabia’s consulate before his body was dismembered and disposed of, according to a Turkish prosecutor.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Office confirmed publicly for the first time how the Washington Post columnist supposedly died, after he had entered the consulate in early October to collect paperwork for his impending wedding.
Prosecutor Irfan Fidan added that his investigators have not been able to gain “concrete results” from Saudi Arabia’s chief prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, despite Turkey’s “good-willed efforts”.
Turkey’s allegations undermine Saudi claims that Khashoggi died in a fight in the consulate.
Saudi officials have repeatedly changed their version of events on Khashoggi’s death, as international pressure grows for countries to stop selling arms to the country until a full investigation occurs.
Saudi officials initially denied any involvement but Riyadh has since admitted he was killed in a botch operation.
Shadow chancellor John McDonnell and Liberal Democrats leader Vince Cable have both urged the London Stock Exchange to scrap an “Investing in Saudi Arabia” breakfast planned for this week over the issue.
Meanwhile US defence secretary Jim Mattis has called for a full, transparent investigation into the killing during a meeting with Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister over the weekend.
“We discussed it. You know the same thing we talked about, the need for transparency, full and complete investigation,” Mattis told reporters.
“(There was) full agreement from foreign minister Jubeir, no reservations at all, he said we need to know what happened and it was very collaborative, in agreement,” Mattis added.
The Saudi Arabia has dismissed the global backlash over the journalist’s death as “hysteria”, with its foreign minister insisting an investigation would take time.