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ANKARA.- The Turkish President, Tayyip Erdogan, rejected on Tuesday the attempts to Riad to blame "wild" murder of Jamal Khashoggi to the agents who acted alone and who declared that the person who had ordered the death of the prominent Saudi journalist "had to answer" to the crime
In a speech to Parliament on a case that provoked worldwide irritation, Erdogan He did not mention the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, a suspect according to some US lawmakers who allegedly ordered the murder.
However, he assured that Turkey will not close his investigation into the death of Khashoggi until all questions are answered and the identity of the "local cooperator" is revealed. Riadhe took care of the body.
"The intelligence services and security institutions have proof that the murder was planned … Blaming the case of some members of the security services and intelligence will not satisfy us, nor to the international community," he said. he declared.
"The Saudi government has taken an important step in admitting the murder and we now hope that it will discover all the officials of this case, from top to bottom, and that it will face the necessary sanctions", a- he declared. "From the person who gave the order to the person who executed it, everyone must answer," he added.
The Saudi cabinet, at a meeting chaired by King Salman, said that Riad will hold the officials of the murder and those who have not fulfilled their tasks, no matter what they are.
Erdogan's speech coincided with the opening of Riad investor conference boycotted by Western political figures, international bankers and corporate leaders for the fury over the death of Khashoggi.
The Saudi news agency SPA reported that the king had received members of his family from Khashoggi in Riad, among whom was his son. The Crown Prince, who also participated in the investor conference with King Abdullah of Jordan, also attended the meeting, witnesses said.
The chronicler of The Washington Post and severe criticism of the crown prince – de facto sovereign of the kingdom – disappeared three weeks ago after entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul to obtain marriage documents.
Saudi version
The Turkish authorities suspect that Khashoggi He was killed and dismembered at the consulate by Saudi agents. According to Turkish sources, the authorities would have an audio recording that would have documented the murder of the 59-year-old journalist, although Erdogan He did not refer to any recording in his speech.
Riad He first denied knowing what had happened before saying that he had died as a result of a fight at the consulate, an explanation received with skepticism by several Western governments in the US. part of a controversy that has put a strain on relations with the world's largest oil exporter.
Erdogan He said three officers arrived in Istanbul the day before his assassination as part of a reconnaissance mission. The next day, 15 people arrived at the consulate, including experts in security, intelligence and forensic science. In addition, the consulate staff had a day off.
"Why did these 15 people meet in Istanbul on the day of the assassination? We are looking for answers to this question. From whom do these people receive orders?", Questioned the Turkish president stating that 39 he wanted Saudi Arabia to send the suspects tried in Turkey.
The White House and the US State Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Erdogan.
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly downplayed any suggestion that the crown prince was involved in the death, but also warned of possible economic sanctions.
He also emphasized the importance of the kingdom as an ally of the United States and stated that Prince Mohammed was a strong and passionate leader.
For the allies of Saudi Arabia, the question will be whether they think that Prince Mohammed, who describes himself as a reformer, has some guilt. King Salman, 82, has entrusted the daily management of the country to the 33-year-old prince.
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