Jamal Khashogg: Trump "concerned" by the disappearance of a journalist; The Saudis deny any involvement


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"I'm concerned about that," said Trump. "I do not like to hear about it and I hope it will work out. At the moment, nobody knows anything about it."

"There are some really bad stories about it, I do not like it," he added.

Trump's remarks coincided with a categorical refusal by the Saudi ambassador to the United States, Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, who claimed that the statements that Khashoggi had been killed or detained by the Saudi authorities were " absolutely false and unfounded ", according to a statement obtained by CNN.

"Many facts about his fate will be revealed by the ongoing investigation.In spite of this, we have seen in recent days various malicious leaks and gloomy rumors about the situation and fate of Jamal," said the statement.

"I assure you that information suggesting that Jamal Khashoggi disappeared at the Istanbul consulate or that the authorities of the Kingdom arrested or killed him are completely false and unfounded," the report notes.

Vice President Mike Pence also commented on Khashoggi's disappearance: "Deeply disturbed by reports on Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, this is a tragic day, violence against journalists around the world is a threat to freedom of movement. world, press and human rights The free world deserves answers ".

This is the first time Trump has intervened in the situation of Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul last Tuesday.

Earlier on Monday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Saudi Arabia should prove that Khashoggi did indeed leave Saudi Arabia 's consulate in Istanbul.

"He himself went to the Consulate General, and if he went there alone and he did not leave, it should obviously be proven by the Consulate General," Erdogan said. at a press conference in Budapest.

Turkish President: Saudi journalists missing must be proven

Erdogan said the Saudi consulate should have surveillance cameras and be able to show Khashoggi's video leaving the building. He indicated that there was no document or evidence showing the journalist's departure.

Turkish officials told the Washington Post and Reuters on Saturday that Khashoggi had been killed inside the consulate. The officials have so far not provided any evidence or detail of how they arrived at this conclusion.

"I am continuing as president of the Turkish Republic," Erdogan told reporters in Ankara on Sunday, while confirming that he had known Khashoggi for some time and considered him a friend.

The Ministry of Justice and the Chief Prosecutor in Istanbul "have opened an investigation and efforts are continuing," said Erdogan. Airport entrances and exits are being investigated.

"At the moment, some people have arrived from Saudi Arabia and our chief investigator is investigating everything that's going on in this case."

Khashoggi, who left Saudi Arabia in 2017, entered the consulate last Tuesday to obtain documents attesting to his upcoming marriage, while his Turkish fiancee was waiting outside. She says she never saw her reappear.

A Saudi official said Khashoggi had left the consulate shortly after his visit. The Saudis, however, did not broadcast surveillance video or other evidence.

CNN reported on Sunday that the US government was quietly working on the Khashoggi case in several agencies and at the highest levels of administration.

Two senior administration officials said that the administration had no verifiable information to confirm the Turkish government's claims that Khashoggi was killed, but that the United States was seeking Answers about his fate – and to interview senior officials of the Saudi government.

Jamal Khashoggi is the victim of a brutal policy in the Middle East

In his statement to CNN, Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the United States said that Saudi investigators were working with the Turkish authorities to determine what had happened to Khashoggi.

"Jamal is a Saudi citizen whose security is a top priority for the Kingdom, as it is for any other citizen, and we will spare no effort to locate him, as we would have done if Another Saudi citizen, "That said.

The incident highlighted the repression perceived by the young Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman against the dissidents, the delicate relationship of his kingdom with Turkey and the influence of Khashoggi within the royal court.

CNN's Jeremy Diamond contributed to this report.

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