According to a report in the Sabah newspaper, which is close to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is believed to have published photos of a supposed 15-member ‘assassination squad’ allegedly sent to target Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Jamal Khashoggi had went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week. As per the report Turkish officials suspected that Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate but this allegation was rejected by Saudi Arabia. According to them, Khashoggi had left the consulate premise.
The Sabah Newspaper had published images of the men apparently taken at passport control. The report also said that the men checked into two hotels in Istanbul on October 2, the day Khashoggi went missing, and left later that day.
In the meantime, Turkey has been given permission to search the diplomatic post, which proves the extraordinary development that shows the increasing international pressure the kingdom faces over Khashoggi’s disappearance.
Jamal Khashoggi had written a series of columns for the Washington Post that were critical and in a way detrimental to Saudi Arabia’s assertive Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s reputation. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had led a widely publicised drive to reform the Sunni monarchy. he also presided over the arrests of activists and businessmen.
On Tuesday, a surveillance video image surfaced showing Khashoggi walking into the consulate in Istanbul’s upscale 4th Levent neighbourhood. But there was no footage or evidence of him found leaving the consulate. Turskish officials are yet to prove the fact that Khashoggi is either kidnapped or killed, as alleged.
Cengiz, who is Jamal Khashoggi fiance wrote to the white House, “At this time, I implore President Trump and first lady Melania Trump to help shed light on Jamal’s disappearance.” She also mentioned in the letter, “I also urge Saudi Arabia, especially King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to show the same level of sensitivity and release CCTV footage from the consulate.”
She added: “Although this incident could potentially fuel a political crisis between the two nations, let us not lose sight of the human aspect of what happened.”
Cengiz further added, “Khashoggi had sought to become a US citizen after living in self-imposed exile since last year, fearing repercussions for his criticism of the prince.”
Responding to the matter, Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he has not yet spoken to the Saudis about Khashoggi, “but I will be at some point,” without elaborating any further.
Hami Aksoyrther, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman said that Saudi authorities have notified Ankara that they were ‘open to cooperation’ and would allow the consulate building to be searched. Specifications about the search is yet to be declared.
According to the Vienna Convention, Embassies and consulates are technically considered to be on foreign soil and must be protected by host nations. Though Saudi Arabia have agreed to the search operation in order to reassure its Western allies and the international community but it is yet to reiterate its word.
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