Murder of Saudi Journalist: Six Weeks of Questions
Here is a timeline of events since the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom's Istanbul consulate on October 2.
- 'Murdered' -
The Washington Post contributor is recorded on camera entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. His fiancée Hatice Cengiz waits until the consulate closes, but he does not emerge. She says he went there to collect a document for their upcoming marriage.
The following day, the Post reports that the veteran journalist is missing.
On October 4, Saudi Arabia says it is investigating, while U.S. officials say they are looking into the case.
In an interview published on October 5, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman maintains Khashoggi entered the consulate but came out shortly afterwards.
The next day, a source close to the Turkish government says police believe the journalist was murdered inside the consulate "by a team especially sent to Istanbul and who left the same day."
Riyadh calls the claim "baseless."
- Grim details -
On October 7, The Washington Post cites a U.S. official saying Khashoggi's body "was likely dismembered, removed in boxes and flown out of the country."
Turkish pro-government newspaper Yeni Safak reports on October 17 that Khashoggi was tortured before being decapitated inside the consulate, saying it had heard audio recordings of the event.
The New York Times says a suspect in the disappearance, identified by Turkey, was in Prince Mohammed's inner circle. Three other suspects are linked to his security team.
- Riyadh acknowledges murder -
U.S. President Donald Trump says on October 18 he believes Khashoggi is dead and warns of "very severe" consequences should Saudi Arabia be proven responsible.
Two days later, Riyadh finally admits Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate after talks deteriorated into a "brawl."
The public prosecutor says 18 Saudi nationals have been detained.
Riyadh simultaneously announces the sacking of top intelligence official Ahmad al-Assiri and royal media advisor Saud al-Qahtani, both senior aides to the crown prince.
Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir tells Fox News on October 21 that a "tremendous mistake" has been made and those responsible acted "outside the scope of their authority."
- 'Total fiasco' -
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on October 23 says Khashoggi's "savage" murder was pre-planned and carried out by a 15-person team that came from Riyadh.
Trump ridicules the kingdom's response as "one of the worst" cover-ups in history. "It was a total fiasco," he later adds.
On October 24, the crown prince makes his first public comments on the affair, saying it is "very painful for all Saudis, it's a repulsive incident."
The following day, Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor says the murder was "premeditated" according to information supplied by Turkey.
- 'Dismembered', 'dissolved' -
Istanbul's chief prosecutor on October 26 starts extradition procedures against the 18 Saudi suspects, but Riyadh refuses to comply.
On October 31, the Turkish prosecutor says Khashoggi was "strangled" and then "dismembered."
On November 2, a Turkish official tells Hurriyet newspaper that Khashoggi's body "wasn't just cut up, they got rid of the body by dissolving it."
Erdogan says the order for his murder came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government.
- Erdogan shares recordings -
On November 10, Erdogan says Turkey has shared recordings linked to the murder with Riyadh, Washington and other capitals.
The following day, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells Prince Mohammed the United States will hold accountable all those involved.
On November 14 Turkey calls for an international investigation.
- Death penalty sought -
On November 15, in the first Saudi confirmation of how Khashoggi was killed, the public prosecutor's office says the journalist was dismembered and parts of his body handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds.
It is seeking the death penalty for five Saudi officials "charged with ordering and committing the crime", a spokesman says, adding that Prince Mohammed had no knowledge of the killing.
Turkey says this explanation is "insufficient."
Source: Agence France Presse
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