‘Rogue killers could be behind Khashoggi disappearance’

Trump speaks to Saudi King; says he denied any knowledge on missing scribe Turkish investigators were to search the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday for the first time since journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared, as King Salman denied any knowledge of his fate in talks with U.S. President Donald Trump. Mr. Khashoggi, a Saudi national, who became increasingly critical of powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen since he walked into the Istanbul consulate to sort out marriage paperwork on October 2. Turkish officials have said they believe he was killed — a claim Saudi Arabia has denied — with the controversy dealing a huge blow to the kingdom’s image and efforts by its youthful crown prince to showcase a reform drive. After speaking by phone with King Salman, Mr. Trump said he had denied having any knowledge of what happened, with the U.S. President suggesting “rogue killers” could be to blame and dispatching Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to the kingdom. Until now, Riyadh has not allowed investigators to search the consulate, with reports that both sides were at odds over the conditions. But a Turkish diplomatic source said the search, a joint operation with Saudi authorities, was expected to “take place towards the evening” on Monday. Dozens of media organisations have kept a constant vigil outside the consulate in the expectation that the search would finally begin. Cleaners were seen entering the building around lunchtime, causing a minor flurry of excitement, an AFP reporter said.

Source  : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/saudi-king-denied-knowledge-on-jamal-khashoggi-trump/article25232132.ece

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