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Saudis agree to internal investigation over journo disappearance

SAUDI ARABIA has ordered its own internal inquiry into the disappearance and suspected murder of dissident journalist and government critic Jamal Khashoggi.

“The king has ordered the public prosecutor to open an internal investigation into the Khashoggi matter based on the info from the joint team in Istanbul,” a Saudi official confirmed.

Mr Khashoggi has not been seen since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to complete routine paperwork for his forthcoming wedding.

The Washington Post has reported that US government officials had been given details of audio and video recordings of Mr Khashoggi’s murder, with some reports suggesting his own iWatch captured his killing.

However, Saudi officials insist that the journalist left the building alive on the same day that he arrived. This conflicts with the account by Mr Khashoggi’s partner, who was waiting outside the consulate, that he never returned.

Growing global condemnation has led to a fall in Saudi share values prompted by fears of international sanctions and a number of speakers and sponsors have pulled out of the so-called “Davos in the Desert” investment conference planned for later this month.

But Riyadh has hit back, warning of repercussions if economic sanctions are imposed and “greater action” in response to political pressure.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said that Turkish authorities could search the consulate and a Turkish diplomatic source confirmed that the search would be conducted jointly with Saudi authorities.

“It is expected that a search will take place towards the evening,” the source said.

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