Investigators think Jamal Khashoggi's body may have been dissolved in acid

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Mr Khashoggi, who had been a prominent critic of the Saudi regime, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in recent months, disappeared after a visit to the consulate on October 2.



The Saudi authorities have blamed his death on a “rogue operation” after a fistfight broke out while he was at the consulate, denying any knowledge of the brutal crime.



They have since fired five top officials and ordering the arrest of 18 people in connection with his killing.



However, their account differs radically from the one offered by Turkish officials, who claim his murder was premeditated and carried out by a 15-strong hit squad specifically dispatched from Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi’s body was not in need of burying Turkish official

Now, a senior Turkish official has told the Washington Post, the paper for whom Mr Khashoggi was a regular columnist, they were considering the possibility of acid having been used to destroy his remains in the grounds of the Consulate or at the nearby residence of the Saudi consul general.



The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said biological evidence found in the garden was consistent with the theory that his body was disposed of near to the place where he was killed.



The official added: “Khashoggi’s body was not in need of burying.”



Saudi authorities have said little about the body other than to claim it had been give to a “local collaborator” for disposal – but Turkish investigators doubt this person even exists.

Mr Khashoggi had been a critic of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman

Meanwhile a second Turkish official, also speaking anonymously, said Saudi Arabia’s top prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, who visited Istanbul this, had provided no information about the whereabouts of the body or the supposed collaborator.



The official said: “Saudi officials seemed primarily interested in finding out what evidence the Turkish authorities had against the perpetrators.



“We did not get the impression that they were keen on genuinely cooperating with the investigation.”



Turkish prosecutor Irfan Fidan said yesterday he believed Mr Khashoggi had been “strangled as soon as he entered the consulate” in line with “premeditated plans.”

Saudi chief investigator Saud al-Mojeb in Turkey

He added: “After being strangled, the body was subsequently destroyed by being dismembered, once again confirming the planning of the murder.”



Turkish officials believe the 15-man hit tsquad killed Mr Khashoggi inside the consulate before flying out of the country the same day.



Audio which they say is a recording of the murder was played for CIA officials, including Director Gina Haspel, last week, although this has not been released publicly.



A Saudi official, speaking once again on the condition of anonymity, said yesterday: “The public prosecutor has acknowledged seeing that information from the Turkish side.

Saudi Arabia is an important regional ally of Donald Trump's United States