Saudi dismisses reports Khashoggi killed at consulate in Istanbul
Saudi investigators are in Istanbul to participate in the probe of Kashoggi's disappearance
Istanbul: An official at the Consulate General of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul has dismissed the report by Reuters, quoting Turkish officials as saying that Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Consulate in Istanbul.
According to the Saudi Press Agency, SPA, the official strongly denounced these baseless allegations and expressed his doubt that they came from Turkish officials that are informed of the investigation or are authorised to comment on the issue.
The source also revealed that a security delegation of Saudi investigators arrived Saturday to Istanbul at the request of the Saudi side and the consent of the Turkish side to participate in the investigations of the disappearance of Jamal Kashoggi. The source noted the Kingdom's appreciation for the Turkish government's acceptance of the request. The delegation is there to assist in the investigations regarding the disappearance of the Saudi citizen Khashoggi.
"The source stressed that the Kingdom holds the safety and well-being of its citizens wherever they are and that relevant authorities in the Kingdom are diligently following up on this matter to uncover the complete facts," SPA concluded.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia's consul-general in Istanbul Mohammad Al Otaibi dismissed claims that Khashoggi had been kidnapped, regretting statements made by some Turkish officials, who alleged he was inside the consulate.
“If those who say he was kidnapped are focusing on his being in the mission, these are just rumors that have no proof,” Mohammad Al Otaibi said. “And we unfortunately regret some of the statements that have been made by Turkish officials who insist that (Khashoggi is) in the consulate ... without it being built on facts.”
Al Otaibi opened up his six-storey consulate on Saturday to Reuters, adding: “We are worried about this case.”
Opening cupboards, filing cabinets and wooden panels covering air conditioning units, Al Otaibi walked through the six floors of the building including a basement prayer room, offices, visa counters, kitchens and toilets as well as storage and security rooms.
He said the consulate was equipped with cameras but they did not record footage, so no images could be retrieved of Khashoggi entering or leaving the consulate, which is ringed by police barriers and has high security fences topped with barbed wire.
The building has two entrances at the front and back, and Al Otaibi said Khashoggi could have left from either side.
“I would like to confirm that...Jamal is not at the consulate nor in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the consulate and the embassy are working to search for him,” he stressed.
The idea that Khashoggi may have been abducted at the consulate was “disgusting”, he said.
“The idea of kidnapping a Saudi citizen by a diplomatic mission is something that should not be put forward in the media,” Al Otaibi stressed.