-Source-TheHill-
The mystery continues. Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, known for his criticism of the Saudi government and its crown prince, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, and never came out. Turkish investigators probing his disappearance say that he was murdered, or possibly abducted, in the consulate by a 15-member Saudi squad.
The allegation has turned up the heat on Saudi Arabia, which denies any wrongdoing. As the Saudis rightly point out, the Turkish investigators have no hard evidence. The only thing we know: Khashoggi went to the consulate on Friday, September 28 to do some paperwork so he could marry his Turkish fiancée, and was told to return on Tuesday, October 2. He had worried that he could be kidnapped and taken back to Saudi Arabia if he went in to the consulate. He entered around 1:30 p.m. on October 2, and never came back out.
Khashoggi moved to the U.S. last year as Saudi authorities began detaining dozens of critics. Of course, Saudi Arabia has previously targeted dissidents living abroad. Indeed, three princes living in Europe that were critical of the government disappeared between 2015-2016. Khashoggi, while not royal, was undeniably close to power centers. As an outspoken critic from within the kingdom’s elite — he was a consummate insider, having served as an advisor to the royal family — the regime may have viewed him as a voice that would not be ignored.
Saudi-Turkey tensions are now escalating. On Monday, Turkey requested a search of the Saudi consulate, while Turkish authorities said they were investigating a black van with diplomatic plates that they believe may have carried Khashoggi from the consulate. Turkish authorities recently released CCTV footage showing Khashoggi entering the consulate and several diplomatic vehicles purportedly carrying Saudi intelligence officers and officials arriving at and leaving the facility. Read more
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