#KhashoggiKilling: In disappointing-speech, Erdogan goes soft on Saudi, tapes unmentioned
What's the story
Addressing his AK Party in Parliament on Tuesday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the murder of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated.
He called on the Kingdom to reveal the killers of the journalist and punish them, regardless of the rank. He also asked why the Washington Post columnist's body wasn't found yet.
However, Erdogan didn't mention Mohammed bin Salman in speech.
What he said
As world watched, Erdogan delivered his speech
Erdogan started his speech by saying the murder of the writer was an international concern, one which Turkey will pursue.
He said since the Consulate was on Turkish soil, the Geneva Convention can do little to provide a shield of diplomatic immunity.
Calling Khashoggi a victim of 'gruesome' murder, Erdogan says the atrocity shouldn't be covered and promised an investigation.
Questions
About 15-men team and local collaborator, Erdogan demands answer
The President then went on to say Turkish officials have proof the murder was pre-planned. "Why was the 15-man Saudi team in Turkey? On whose orders? Why was the Consulate not opened to investigators immediately?" Erdogan asked.
He asked the Kingdom to answer questions like where is the body, and who was the local collaborator, and wondered why Saudi kept changing statements.
Onus on Saudi
Erdogan doesn't doubt King Salman's sincerity, but ignores MbS
Further, Erdogan said,"I do not doubt the sincerity of King Salman. That being said, independent investigation needs to be carried out. This is a political killing."
It should be noted he didn't mention MbS, who is facing global flak over the killing, meaning he didn't absolve the crown prince.
But him putting the onus on Riyadh falls way short of expectations.
Claims
Erdogan made loud claims about tapes, but that's about it
Notably, it was Erdogan who vouched to reveal 'naked truth' behind the killing. It was widely expected he would speak about the tapes, which recorded the incident in Consulate, that multiple sources said he possessed.
He even refused to share it with the United States.
But when the whole world turned their eyes towards Erdogan, he skipped mentioning the tapes.
Death
Khashoggi's death led to Saudi's worst international crisis
Dissident Saudi journalist Khashoggi entered the Consulate on October 2 and didn't return. Earlier, Saudi claimed he had left the building, but on facing international outrage, the Kingdom said he died as a result of a fist fight.
Notably, US President Donald Trump said he wasn't satisfied with Saudi's explanation, days after he said sacking of high ranking officials was a 'good first step'.