Khashoggi was strangled upon entering Saudi Consulate in Istanbul: Turkish prosecutor

E-Paper | April 26, 2026

A Turkish prosecutor on Wednesday said Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul as part of a premeditated killing, and his body was dismembered and disposed of.

A statement from chief Istanbul prosecutor Irfan Fidan’s office also said that discussions with Saudi chief prosecutor Saud al-Mojeb have yielded no “concrete results” despite “good-willed efforts” by Turkey to uncover the truth.

The statement is the first public confirmation by a Turkish official that Khashoggi was strangled and dismembered after he entered the Saudi Consulate on October 2 to collect paperwork needed to marry his Turkish fiancee.

Read: 9 key questions Saudi Arabia hasn’t answered about Khashoggi killing

Turkey is seeking the extradition of 18 Saudi suspects detained in Saudi Arabia over the killing of Khashoggi in the Saudi Consulate. It is also pressing Saudi Arabia for information concerning Khashoggi’s remains, which still haven’t been found, as well as who ordered the journalist’s slaying.

Saudi officials have said the kingdom will try the 18 and bring them to justice after the investigation is complete.

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AkhilS

Oct 31, 2018 07:49pm

MBS will be under tremendous pressure. Turkey will be not forget the coup attempt.

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Magnanimous approach

Oct 31, 2018 08:02pm

According to media stance Khashoggi was a soft spoken and also talk about reforms recommendations, never blunt or vehemently opposed the Kingdom, the fate he met is quite disproportionate and unbelievable. KSA is still investigating the incident and let the course of probe complete, time will yield the facts later.

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Anti-Corruption_Pakistani

Oct 31, 2018 08:06pm

Simply, Khashoggi killing was a cold blooded murder inside the Saudi consolute in Istanbul. The masterminds and culprits must be exposed and punished.

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Uzair

Oct 31, 2018 08:17pm

Trying to weaken the investigation are we? He was received, served tea, small talk, taken to another room, shouting, and strangulated upon entering the consulate as well? Surely someone was or is wrong, can't be right then and now with with these statements.

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kitkat

Oct 31, 2018 08:26pm

@Anti-Corruption_Pakistani No way it will be done, because they have the blessings of higher ups.

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kumail

Oct 31, 2018 08:34pm

The murder was ordered by the highest authority, it was meticulously figured and carried out. The world is silent because of petrol dollars and lobbying.

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Sameer

Oct 31, 2018 08:37pm

If strangled...how can you be involved in a fist fight!

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Siraj Khan

Oct 31, 2018 08:52pm

This was already disclosed over the last three weeks. Nothing new. Even the remains of the journalist have been found. The triangle of Turkey, Saudi and the US must close the loop on this. The elephant is in the room and must be shown the exit.

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ABE

Oct 31, 2018 09:01pm

Appearently, the Turks know every single detail into this murder, but are simply releaseing bits and drips deliberately to torture and cause misery to the Saudis. Who are already under pressure from all corners of the world to come clean and disclose the real culprit behind this murder. All the little operatives, underlings and executors are immaterial. The real criminal is the one who ordered this killing. And we all suspect who it is.

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Harris

Oct 31, 2018 09:04pm

Every one knows who is the master mind, who instructed the 18 men to carry out coveted murder.

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David

Oct 31, 2018 09:08pm

Jamal Khassogi articles in Washington Post were all about criticism of Crown Prince activities.

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Mandira

Oct 31, 2018 09:10pm

Saudi Arabia will never extradite those 18 who carried out the murder, of extradited it will open up the pandora box.

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Namdhar

Oct 31, 2018 09:11pm

Turkey can’t do anything to get justice for Jamal Khassogi.

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Varun

Oct 31, 2018 09:12pm

Saudi Arabia will just play games until the issue dies down.

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M. Saeed

Oct 31, 2018 09:52pm

If the Saudis try the 18 and bring them to justice as usual in the kingdom, the results of their justice would not take more than a week to come.

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ukz

Oct 31, 2018 10:08pm

Way to go turkey. Press Saudis harder. We will eager to see all strings attached to MBS. looking forward this arrogant prince to collapse

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Reality

Oct 31, 2018 10:37pm

Is Saudi justice going to be applied to MBS?

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Zak

Oct 31, 2018 10:38pm

This has spelt the end of Crown Prince Salman chances to become King. This episode will hang on his head forever. Everyone knows he ordered the killing.

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Khan Sahib Virginia

Oct 31, 2018 10:39pm

Since the crime w committed in Turkey, The culprits should be tried there as well.

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Another Indian

Oct 31, 2018 11:37pm

Turkey and Erdogan are symbol for free press, so they must raise these issues internationally

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USA man

Nov 01, 2018 12:39am

KSA is innocent till proven guilty. Look at O.J. Simpson trial. Saudi are negotiating for dream team of same lawyers.

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Abbasshah

Nov 01, 2018 12:47am

Saudi Arabia values cruel at the core.

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Ayub

Nov 01, 2018 03:25am

All delaying tactics.

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Maria enteparia onnuchoriu

Nov 01, 2018 04:43am

it is time to teach this rouge kingdom a lesson of their life time.

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fairplay

Nov 01, 2018 05:42am

this proves the lues of an incredulous fist fight that the saudis stated a few days ago.

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Zala

Nov 01, 2018 06:38am

Khashoggi’s remains haven’t been found yet. The 18 people detained obviously know but are not disclosing.

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fairplay

Nov 01, 2018 07:18am

so, all the former stories of a fist fight were lies. a strangled man, where is his body? clearly, he did not run off after being killed, by an MBS ordered hit by a hit squad.

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Anonymouseeeee

Nov 01, 2018 08:29am

Job well done Turkey.

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Ashfaq

Nov 01, 2018 09:40am

It's not just a cold blooded murder rather a clear manifestation of that cruel mindset , never ready to accept any dissenting voice and crush every individual whoever echoes against it.

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Ths

Nov 01, 2018 02:04pm

Saudis buy $380 billion dollars of arms from US and billions of dollars worth from UK just to keep in power

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Ths

Nov 01, 2018 02:05pm

Saudi Arabia and Israel are US biggest arms buyers that grets them away with murders , massacres

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Ths

Nov 01, 2018 02:07pm

Khashoggi was one person what about the thousands killed in Yemen by this illegal and brutal war imposed by the same prince

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Dr. Salaria, Aamir Ahmad

Nov 01, 2018 07:19pm

This is in essence, the reality and barbaric face of the clan-based ruling junta since 1929 in Saudi Arabia, whom the bigot, racist and biased Donald Trump is trying to hide, just to protect minimum 6,500 full- time U.S. jobs, stemming from billions of dollars worth of on-going contracts that the Saudis signed with the U.S. arms and ammunition manufacturing companies. Where are the true American values based on truth, justice, equality, dignity, human rights and fairplay gone?

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