Jamal Khashoggi latest: Turkish authorities to search Saudi consulate two weeks after journalist vanished

Inspection of the embassy will take place on Monday

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has announced that an “inspection” of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul will take place on Monday afternoon, nearly two weeks after dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was allegedly killed in the building.

A ministry official said the inspection would be carried out by both Turkish and Saudi officials.

The visit comes after the disappearance of the Saudi reporter at the embassy on 2 October. Turkish officials suspect Saudi authorities killed and dismembered Mr Khashoggi at the consulate.

The Turkish government has reportedly told US officials it has audio and video recordings that prove he was killed there.

Last week the Turkish newspaper Sabah published the names of a 15 Saudis allegedly involved in his disappearance.

Saudi Arabia has called the allegation “baseless,” but has yet to explain how the writer vanished while visiting the consulate as his fiancee stood outside waiting for him.

Saudi King Salman spoke by telephone with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about Mr Khashoggi on Sunday about “a joint working group to probe the case”.

The Saudis also responded to a suggestion by President Donald Trump that the US could inflict “severe punishment” on the kingdom if its authorities were found responsible for Mr Khashoggi’s death. An unnamed official threatened to retaliate for any sanctions imposed against it over the suspected killing.

Saudi newspapers published aggressive front-page headlines on Monday, mirroring government statements.

The Saudi Gazette said: “Enough Is Enough,” while the Arab News said: “Saudi Arabia ‘will not be bullied’.”

The Dubai-based real-estate tycoon Khalaf al-Habtoor has called on Gulf states to boycott international firms now backing out of an upcoming economic summit in Riyadh over the case. JP Morgan, Ford and Uber executives have pulled out of the investment conference.

Mr Al-Habtoor stated: “Together we must prove we will not be bullied or else, mark my words, once they have finished kicking the kingdom, we will be next in line.”

Earlier on Monday Pakistan urged Turkey and Saudi Arabia to work together to resolve the case.

The Pakistani government, which enjoys friendly relations with both Turkey and the Saudis, said it hoped that the “two brotherly countries will be able to jointly address the matter”.

Additional reporting by Associated Press