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TURKEY-SAUDI-US-POLITICS-DIPLOMACY
Developments since Saudi journalist’s disappearance
DUBAI, Oct 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Here is a timeline of events in the
disappearance of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident, not
seen since he entered the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
– Goes inside –
At 1:14 pm (1014 GMT) on October 2, Khashoggi is recorded entering the
Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a surveillance camera. The image is published
by the Washington Post.
He was at the consulate to receive an official document for his upcoming
marriage. His fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, accompanies him but waits outside.
– Alarm raised –
On October 3 the Washington Post, for whom Khashoggi writes opinion pieces,
raises the alarm, saying the journalist has not been seen since he entered
the consulate.
His fiancee camps out near barricades in front of the Saudi consulate
hoping for news.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin tells a news conference:
“According to information we have this individual… is still at the
consulate as of now”.
The US State Department says it is investigating.
– Saudi denial –
On October 4, after an initial period of silence, Saudi Arabia says
Khashoggi disappeared “after he left the consulate building”.
The Saudi ambassador is summoned to the Turkish foreign ministry.
On October 5 Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman tells Bloomberg that
Khashoggi is not inside the consulate and “we are ready to welcome the
Turkish government to go and search our premises,” which is Saudi sovereign
territory.
– Murdered in consulate? –
On October 6 a government source says Turkish police believe Khashoggi was
murdered inside the consulate.
“Based on their initial findings, the police believe that the journalist
was killed by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day,”
the source tells AFP.
Riyadh calls the claim “baseless”.
On October 7 Turkey seeks permission to search Saudi Arabia’s consulate.
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, commenting for the first time,
says he will wait for the outcome of the investigation before taking a
decision.
– Pressure on Riyadh –
On October 8 Erdogan asks Riyadh to “prove” its claim that Khashoggi left
its consulate.
US President Donald Trump says he is “concerned”. US Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo calls for a “thorough” and “transparent” probe by Washington’s
ally Saudi Arabia into the disappearance.
– Search granted –
On October 9 Saudi Arabia agrees to let Turkish authorities search the
consulate, the Turkish foreign ministry says.
Local media report on the possibility that Khashoggi was kidnapped and
taken to Saudi Arabia.
English-language state broadcaster TRT World says Turkish officials believe
the Saudis may have taken the consulate’s CCTV footage with them when they
returned to the kingdom.
– Kidnapping? –
CCTV footage released by Turkish TV shows a van entering the consulate on
October 2, before going to the nearby consul’s residence.
The Washington Post, citing US intelligence intercepts, says Saudi Arabia’s
crown prince ordered an operation to trap Khashoggi.
The US State Department says it had not been tipped off about such an
operation.
Trump calls for explanations from Saudi Arabia, saying he has talked “more
than once” and “at the highest levels” to partners in Riyadh. He says he has
been in contact with Khashoggi’s fiancee, who has asked for his help.
– Business backlash, Turkey search –
On October 12 British entrepreneur Richard Branson suspends two
directorships linked to tourism projects in Saudi Arabia.
Several prestigious partners cancel their planned attendance at the end of
the month at the Future Investment Initiative in Riyadh, a lavish conference
dubbed the “Davos in the Desert”.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon and Ford chairman Bill Ford are among those
to pull out of the Riyadh event.
On October 15 and 16 Turkish police investigators and prosecutors conduct
an eight-hour overnight search of the Saudi consulate, taking away samples.
– Pompeo in Riyadh –
On October 15, Trump says he received a strong denial from King Salman of
any involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi.
“It sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who
knows?” Trump tells reporters.
The next day US top diplomat Mike Pompeo arrives in Riyadh for urgent talks
with the king and crown prince.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1639 hrs