- Sputnik International
World
Get the latest news from around the world, live coverage, off-beat stories, features and analysis.

Erdogan Says Dissatisfied With Saudi Explanations for Journalist Disappearance

© AP Photo / Lefteris PitarakisSaudi Missing Journalist
Saudi Missing Journalist - Sputnik International
Subscribe
ANKARA (Sputnik) - The Turkish authorities are thoroughly investigating the disappearance of Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi and do not find the Saudi authorities' explanations convincing, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated.

"The incident occurred in our country. We cannot be silent about it, as this is an unusual incident. As soon as I heard the news, I tasked my colleagues from the Justice Ministry and from the Foreign Ministry to look into the matter. We are studying all the aspects of the matter, both the police and intelligence [services] are involved, and we are following this issue every second," Erdogan told reporters.

He voiced his concern over the credibility of the Saudi authorities' explanations.

"Is it possible that the video surveillance systems did not work in the Saudi consulate where the incident occurred? Modern systems are able to capture even a bird or a fly… Drawing conclusions based on assumptions is not correct, but we are concerned. We see that the United States is concerned as well," Erdogan stressed.

READ MORE: 'Public Opinion in Turkey-Saudi Consulate Responsible for Journo's Fate' — Prof

Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks on his cellphone at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Khashoggi was a Saudi insider. He rubbed shoulders with the Saudi royal family and supported its efforts to nudge the entrenched ultraconservative clerics to accept reforms. He was a close aide to the kingdom’s former spy chief and was a leading voice in the country’s prominent dailies - Sputnik International
US Senators Urge Trump to Explore Sanctions Against Saudi Arabia Over Khashoggi
According to media reports, the Turkish investigators believe that Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate, but Saudi authorities have denied the allegations and also said that they were unable to provide any evidence as video cameras around the consulate did not work on the day of Khashoggi's disappearance.

US President Donald Trump has discussed the incident with high-level Saudi officials, while US National Security Adviser John Bolton and US Senior Adviser Jared Kushner have been in contact with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman in the search for more details related to the case and transparency in the investigation process.

READ MORE: US State Department Clueless About Saudi Journalist Khashoggi's Fate

In early October, media reported that Khashoggi went missing in Turkey. He was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate General, where he had to obtain documents required for his upcoming marriage. 

Newsfeed
0
To participate in the discussion
log in or register
loader
Chats
Заголовок открываемого материала