Jamal Khashoggi disappearance case: Turkey denies giving audio tape to US

On Friday, Turkey denied giving any kind of audio tape from the investigation of the disappearance case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi to US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo or any American official.

Two days after meeting with the US’s top diplomat in Ankara, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said, “It is out of the question for Turkey to give any kind of audio tape to Pompeo or any other US official.”

Like other Turkish officials, Cavusoglu did not reveal any details of the investigation but vowed they would be shared in due course. “We will share the results to emerge with the entire world. It is out of the question for us to share this or that information with any country,” he added.

ABC News, quoting a senior Turkish official, reported on Thursday that during his visit to Turkey this week, Pompeo heard this audio and was shown a transcript of the recording. But Pompeo denied the report. “I’ve seen no tape. I’ve heard no tape. I’ve seen no transcript,” he added.

Earlier, Turkey’s pro-government press reported that Turkey has an audio recording that proves the alleged murder of Khashoggi at the consulate and that he was tortured before his death. However, the Turkish government never confirmed the existence of the tape.

It is to be noted that Jamal Khashoggi had went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul last week. As per the report, Turkish officials suspected that Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate but this allegation was rejected by Saudi Arabia. According to them, Khashoggi had left the consulate premise.

Also Read: Photos surface of assassination squad who may have killed Jamal Khashoggi