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The fiancée of murdered dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi said he was full of hope and given "nice hospitality" on the day he went into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was killed.

Hatice Cengiz, 38, attended the embassy with Mr Khashoggi but did not go inside.

She waited hours for him to return, which he never did, and is still unaware as to where her partner’s body is.

Turkish officials believe a Saudi Arabian group of 15 men tortured, killed and dismembered the 59-year-old writer, who was a Washington Post columnist, in a premeditated act.

Ms Cengiz said her husband-to-be had been initially wary of going to the building when he first attended for documentation for their wedding.

However, a visit on September 28 lulled him into not fearing another on October 2 – tough the latter proved fatal.

Speaking to ABC News in an emotive interview, Ms Cengiz said: “He did not want to go to the consulate [the first time].

“He thought it was a risk to go.

“He thought of the possibility of them capturing him.

"He didn’t want to face the consequences of his political views.”

CCTV shows Jamal Khashoggi enter consulate 6 show all CCTV shows Jamal Khashoggi enter consulate 1/6 Jamal Khashoggi, circled, outside the consulate on October 2 AP 2/6 Images show him speaking to Hatice Cengiz, his wife-to-be, before entering AP 3/6 He was entering the consulate to get documentation for his upcoming marriage AP 4/6 The Saudi government has now described him as having been "murdered" AP 5/6 He is seen in a black jacket, grey shirt and grey trousers AP 6/6 Some 18 people have been arrested in connection with his death AP 1/6 Jamal Khashoggi, circled, outside the consulate on October 2 AP 2/6 Images show him speaking to Hatice Cengiz, his wife-to-be, before entering AP 3/6 He was entering the consulate to get documentation for his upcoming marriage AP 4/6 The Saudi government has now described him as having been "murdered" AP 5/6 He is seen in a black jacket, grey shirt and grey trousers AP 6/6 Some 18 people have been arrested in connection with his death AP

Mr Khashoggi lived in self-imposed exile in the US for nearly a year before his death and had written critically of the crown prince's crackdown on dissent.

This fear of going to the consulate lessened, though, when on the initial trip he was met with a cordial reception.

Ms Cengiz said: “He was very pleased with their nice treatment and hospitality.

"At that point he mentioned how unnecessary it was to worry.

“Naturally, after the first positive visit we had no reasons to think that there would be any sort of danger.

“Our second visit was full of hope and it was the last step to our union.

“We were going to get the official paper and we were going to get married and continue rest of our lives together.”

In the piece with ABC News, Ms Cengiz explained how she had only known the writer for six months, but their relationship deepened quickly.

After they met she spoke of feeling “honoured” and “wonderful” that Mr Khashoggi was focusing time on her.

She held out hope Mr Khashoggi was alive for weeks after he went missing, and only accepted it after Sauid Arabia confirmed the death.

Saudi Arabia has now admitted that Mr Khashoggi was killed in the consulate but has denied any involvement by the royal family in the incident.

The country’s attorney general also stated it was a “premeditated” killing which led to the death of Mr Khashoggi.

Ms Cengiz spoke of how she still does not know where her partner’s body is – which is causing issues for his religious beliefs.

"We still don't know where Jamal's body is," she said.

"There is no explanation about this. He did not have a funeral yet. This is not acceptable in Islamic rules.

"This is our last duty to fulfill.”

She has called on President Donald Trump to support an investigation into the death and ensure this is conducted properly.

However, she said she does fear that political ties could cause issues and asked if she felt they would triumph over the truth, she said “yes”.

As the death continues to be looked into, Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor held talks overnight on Sunday with Turkish intelligence officials, Demiroren news agency said.