Trump says U.S. asked Turkey for audio-video evidence in Khashoggi case
Reuters
Published Oct 17, 2018 12:38PM ET
Trump says U.S. asked Turkey for audio-video evidence in Khashoggi case
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Donald Trump said on Wednesday the United States has asked Turkey for any audio or video evidence it may have related to the disappearance of U.S.-based Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi but was not sure whether any such evidence exists.
Trump, speaking to reporters at the White House, denied he was trying to give cover to Saudi leaders over Khashoggi's disappearance, a day after he cautioned against assuming Saudi leaders were guilty in the case until proven innocent.
"I just want to find out what's happening," he said. "I'm not giving cover at all."
Trump said he was waiting for a full report on Khashoggi's disappearance from Secretary of State Mike Pompeo when he returns from his trip to Saudi Arabia and Turkey, where Pompeo met with leaders to discuss reports Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Asked whether the United States was seeking audio or video evidence that Turkey reportedly has, Trump said: "We have asked for it, if it exists ... I'm not sure yet that it exists, probably does, possibly does.
"I'll have a full report on that from Mike (Pompeo) when he comes back. ... That's going to be the first question I ask," he said.
Pompeo has said Riyadh should be given a few more days to complete an investigation into the disappearance of the journalist, a prominent critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Turkish officials have said they believe Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, was murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and his body removed. Turkish sources have told Reuters the authorities have an audio recording indicating Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.
The Saudis have strongly denied those allegations but U.S. media outlets have reported they will acknowledge he was killed in a botched interrogation. Trump has speculated without providing evidence that "rogue killers" could be responsible.
Get The News You Want
Written By: Reuters
Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.