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The surveillance camera filmed on October 2 shows a man identified by Turkish authorities as being Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb in front of the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, before the disappearance of writer Jamal Khashoggi. Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb is a frequent companion to the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia.(Photo: AP)
Jamal Khashoggi died during a fight in front of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Saudi authorities confirmed Friday. The announcement, made on public television and broadcast through the official Saudi news agency, comes more than two weeks after the disappearance of the journalist who disappeared after entering the compound. diplomatic mission in Turkey.
The Attorney General of Saudi Arabia has stated that 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested in connection with this case. None has been identified.
It is the first time that the kingdom admits that Khashoggi is dead.
Earlier Friday, Turkish investigators at the crime scene extended their search for Khashoggi's remains to a forest in the suburbs of Istanbul, Turkish media reported on Friday.
Khashoggi was last seen in the diplomatic forum of Saudi Arabia 17 days ago. No evidence has proved that he has ever left, and audio and video recordings obtained by Turkish security officials indicate that he would have been dismembered inside the consulate.
Research teams investigating the disappearance of Khashoggi began searching the forest in Belgrade Forest, estimating that several vehicles belonging to the consulate would have visited the area on 2 October. The forest is located about 20 miles outside of Istanbul.
This is the first time that investigators have started looking outside Istanbul for evidence of Khashoggi's body. In the past two weeks, the focus has been on the consulate and general residence of the Saudi consul. The investigators also searched gardens and analyzed surveillance images to get an idea of the latest movements of Khashoggi as well as those of 15 Saudi nationals suspected of having participated in his disappearance.
The apparent development comes as President Donald Trump seemed to change his thinking. Asked last Thursday about the murder of the Saudi dissident, the president said it "seemed good to me" and promised "very serious" consequences for Saudi Arabia if it happened to be Origin of Khashoggi's murder.
It is a face that follows the harsh criticism of Trump for appearing in recent days as a priority for the US security relationship with the Middle East. -Orient to what, according to Turkish reports, could be an extrajudicial execution committed by members of a Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman-related assassination team.
Trump said he hoped to wait for Saudi Arabia and Turkey to complete their investigations before deciding what action to take.
In the midst of growing international condemnation over the case, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called for patience. After returning Wednesday after a trip to Riyadh and Ankara looking for answers, he said the Saudis should have "a few more days" to complete their investigation. Pompeo also denied allegations that during his trip he allegedly heard testimony from Turkey about allegations of torture and murder of Khashoggi inside the consulate. The Foreign Minister of Turkey confirmed Friday his statement. No evidence has been shared.
Saudi experts, dissidents, congressional figures and major human rights organizations say it would be a scapegoat. "This involvement is the best guarantee against Saudi bleaching or against any attempt by other governments to preserve the climate of lucrative trading relations with Riyadh," said Robert Mahoney, Deputy Executive Director of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The revelations under way have led to speculation that there may be a disruption of the Saudi royal family or a reassessment of MBS powers.
More: Who is Jamal Khashoggi? Saudi confidant and Saudi journalist deemed dissident reluctantly
More: Trump says it seems that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead
More: "A few more days": Secretary of State Pompeo exhorts to be patient for the lost journalist
Contributor: David Jackson
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