Erdogan: Saudi officials must prove Khashoggi left consulate

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chellenged Saudi Arabia to provide proof that a missing journalist has left its consulate in Istanbul. The writer Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi national, was last seen visiting the consulate on Tuesday. Earlier, Turkey requested a search of the building, after saying that Mr Khashoggi had been murdered within its […]

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chellenged Saudi Arabia to provide proof that a missing journalist has left its consulate in Istanbul.

The writer Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi national, was last seen visiting the consulate on Tuesday.

Earlier, Turkey requested a search of the building, after saying that Mr Khashoggi had been murdered within its walls, media reports say.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegations baseless.

“Consulate officials cannot save themselves by saying that he left the building,” Mr Erdogan told a news conference in Budapest.

“If he left, you have to prove it with footage.”

Turkish officials made the accusation on Sunday. They said their investigators had “concrete proof” of the killing which, they said, was carried out by a 15-person Saudi team who arrived in the country last week.

No evidence has been presented. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said officials are welcome to conduct a search as there is nothing to hide.