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Erdogan: Khashoggi Recordings ’Appalling,’ Shocked Saudi Intel

Erdogan: Khashoggi Recordings ’Appalling,’ Shocked Saudi Intel
folder_openEurope... access_time5 years ago
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said recordings related to the killing of Saudi journo Jamal Khashoggi, which Turkey has shared with Western allies, are "appalling" and shocked a Saudi intelligence officer who listened to them, Turkish media reported Tuesday.

Khashoggi, a critic of de facto Saudi ruler Prince Mohammad bin Salman, was killed in Saudi Arabia's Istanbul consulate six weeks ago in a hit which Erdogan says was ordered at the "highest levels" of the Saudi government.

The Turkish President told reporters on his plane returning from a weekend visit to France that he discussed the Saudi journalist's killing with the US, French and German leaders at dinner in Paris.

"We played the recordings regarding this murder to everyone who wanted them from us. Our intelligence organization did not hide anything. We played them to all who wanted them including the Saudis, the USA, France, Canada, Germany, Britain," he said.

"The recordings are really appalling. Indeed when the Saudi intelligence officer listened to the recordings he was so shocked he said: 'This one must have taken heroin, only someone who takes heroin would do this'," he added.

The way Khashoggi was killed provoked global outrage but little concrete action by world powers against Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil exporter and a supporter of Washington's plans to contain Iranian influence across the Middle East.

Erdogan said it was clear the murder was planned and that the order came from the top level of Saudi authorities but that he could not think such a thing of King Salman, for whom he has 'limitless respect'.

"The crown prince says 'I will clarify the matter, I will do what is necessary'. We are waiting patiently," Erdogan said, adding that the perpetrators of the killing were among 18 suspects detained in Saudi Arabia.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team

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