Osman Orsal/Reuters
Turkish officials announced Tuesday that they will search the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul to investigate the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post contributor who disappeared after entering the embassy on Oct. 2. Turkish authorities have concluded that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, Reuters reported, citing two Turkish sources. A Turkish spokesman said Tuesday that Saudi authorities were “open to cooperation,” although it is not clear when the search will occur, according to The Washington Post. Jamal Khashoggi, a vocal critic of the Saudi regime who had been living in self-imposed exile in Washington, went to the consulate on Tuesday to get paperwork for an upcoming marriage. His fiancée, who waited for him outside the building, said he never came back out. Turkish authorities aired their theory of what happened hours after opening an investigation into Khashoggi's whereabouts.
Saudi officials have denied any foul play in Khashoggi’s disappearance, insisting he left the consulate and that allegations to the contrary are “baseless” and “outrageous.” On Saturday evening, however, police sources quoted in Turkish media said they had information that Khashoggi had never left the building. Turkish police also said about 15 Saudi officials had arrived from abroad and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was there, the Anadolu news agency reported. Human rights groups have urged Turkey to expand its investigation.