#KhashoggiMurder: 'I know how to cut', Khashoggi killer heard saying
On Friday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said that one of the killers of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was heard saying, "I know how to cut," in the audio tape of the killing sent by Turkey to the US and other countries. Erdogan also launched a scathing criticism of Saudi Arabia for repeatedly changing its narrative of how Khashoggi met his demise. Here's more.
Erdogan's exact words
"The United States, Germany, France, Canada, we made them all listen...The man [one of the killers] clearly says 'I know how to cut'. This man is a soldier. These are all in the audio recordings," said Erdogan during a speech in Istanbul.
Erdogan has claimed that the perpetrators were well-known to MbS
Erdogan's words came at the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) judicial conference in Istanbul. Launching an attack on Riyadh, the Turkish President further said that the people involved in the murder of Khashoggi were "well known" to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS). Ergodan further criticized the silence of some countries over the Khashoggi's murder.
Saudi Arabia had offered contradictory explanations behind Khashoggi's murder
Following Khashoggi's disappearance after entering the Saudi consulate in Instanbul on October 2, Saudi Arabia had initially claimed that the journalist had left the consulate. However, after investigations into his disappearance progressed, Saudi Arabia said that Khashoggi had been murdered by a team of rogue operatives when negotiations to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Khashoggi's remains have not been found yet.
Turkey isn't buying Saudi Arabia's narratives
While Saudi Arabia has admitted that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate, and that his body was dismembered and disposed of, it has said that MbS was not involved in the killing. However, Turkey maintains that the order to murder Khashoggi came from the highest echelons of the Saudi leadership.
Erdogan lashes out at Saudi Arabia
"The prince says Jamal Khashoggi left the consulate. Is Jamal Khashoggi a kid? His fiancee is waiting outside. They think the world is dumb. This nation isn't dumb and it knows how to hold people accountable," said an incensed Erdogan.
Erdogan condones US Senate's move to hold MbS responsible
Given Turkey's stand, Erdogan condoned the the US Senate's move to rebuke US President Donald Trump for expressing support for MbS. Earlier, the CIA had concluded that MbS had ordered Khashoggi's assassination, and the Senate, on Thursday, unanimously adopted a resolution to hold MbS responsible for the murder of Khashoggi. Trump had earlier asked Washington to stand by MbS, despite the CIA's investigation.
