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Saudi King, Crown Prince Salman make condolence call to Jamal Khashoggi's son

WION Web Team
New Delhi, Delhi, IndiaUpdated: Oct 22, 2018, 05:09 PM IST
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Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman. Photograph:(Reuters)

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Crown Prince Salman has been accused of being responsible for — or at least in the know of — Khashoggi's murder. 

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman made a condolence call Monday to murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi's son.

Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey on October 2. A finger of accusation has been pointed at Prince Salman for the murder and the hit squad that executed Khashoggi allegedly included a member of the royal entourage.

Saudi Arabia's official news agency said both King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Salman phoned Khashoggi's son Salah to express their condolences.

Khashoggi went to the consulate on October 2 to get documents ahead of his upcoming wedding to his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, who has now been given 24-hour protection according to Turkish state media.

Riyadh on Saturday finally admitted that Khashoggi had died in the consulate -- blaming a brawl -- and announced the firing of five top officials and the arrest of 18 others in a probe.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, the smooth former envoy to Washington and fluent English speaker, on Sunday appeared on Fox News to blame a "rogue operation" by individuals who "exceeded their responsibilities" and then "tried to cover up for it".

"We are determined to find out all the facts. And we are determined to punish those who are responsible for this murder," he said, denying any link to the crown prince.

Turkey's pro-government media published new claims on Monday linking Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to reveal the "naked truth" about the case.

(With inputs from AFP)