Turkish investigators search Istanbul forest for Khashoggi remains

Turkish investigators search Istanbul forest for Khashoggi remains
Turkish police are searching a forest near Istanbul for the body of Jamal Khashoggi, who is believed to have been murdered in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul two weeks ago.
2 min read
19 October, 2018
Belgrad Forest is one possible location of Khashoggi's body [Anadolu]

Turkish police are searching a forest outside Istanbul for the body of Jamal Khashoggi, with authorities now looking into the possibility that the journalist's body could have been taken out of the Saudi consulate.

The Belgrad Forest lies on the outskirts of Istanbul and is believed to be one of the locations being searched by police in Turkey for signs of the Saudi journalist's remains.

Ankara is also looking into the possibility his body was hidden in another city in Turkey.

Earlier reports have stated that his remains could have been buried in the consulate grounds, taken out of the country in diplomatic boxes, or dissolved in acid.

Jamal Khashoggi disappeared on 2 October when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to complete some routine paperwork.

Turkish intelligence have said they have audio and video recordings of Khashoggi's torture and brutally killing in the compound and are investigating a possible 15 man murder squad who are key suspects in the case.

Police have established that two vehicles belonging to the consulate left the building on the same day he went missing.

One went to the nearby Belgrad Forest and another to Yalova, a city that lies across the Sea of Marmara from Istanbul, AP reported.

On Friday, Turkish newspaper Sabah printed more images from surveillance cameras showing members of the same Saudi team.

Images have also been shared of a member of Prince Mohammed's entourage entering the Turkish consulate the day Khashoggi went missing.

He has been identified by Turkish officials as Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, who joined Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on several trips abroad.

Agencies contributed to this story