Saudi Arabia was under growing pressure last night to explain the disappearance of its best-known journalist after Turkish officials accused it of murdering him in its Istanbul consulate.
The claim, issued to news organisations by “unnamed officials”, threatens to create a significant rift between the two countries, both key members of the military alliance with the West but also rivals for leadership of the Sunni Muslim world.
Some officials added to the claims yesterday, saying that a 15-man squad had flown into Istanbul airport on Tuesday to carry out the attack and that the body of the journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, 59, had been dismembered.
The row also threatens Saudi Arabia’s relations with Britain, particularly in the light of the uproar over the attempted murder of the former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.
Turkey has requested a search of the Saudi consulate in Instabul, after claiming that the journalist was murdered within it walls, according to media reports.
The missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was last seen visiting the consulate on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has described the allegations as baseless.
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has previously said officials are welcome to conduct a search as there is nothing to hide.
Turkish Officials made the accusation on Sunday. They said their investigators had "concrete proof" of the killing which, they said, was carried out by the 15-man Saudi team that arrived in the country lastweek.
Although no evidence has been presented.
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