Saudi van with 3 suitcases leaves Istanbul consulate

A van left the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Friday morning after consular staff moved three suitcases and a black plastic bag to the vehicle, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter on the scene outside the consulate.

The suitcases and plastic bag were moved to a van with black-tinted windows from another vehicle while a man from inside the consulate carrying a coiled white cable also got in the van.

The contents of the suitcases and plastic bag were unknown, as was the identity of the man.

The consulate is under heightened scrutiny amid near-daily revelations about the case of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, was last seen on Oct. 2 when he entered the consulate building.

After days of denying any knowledge of his whereabouts, Saudi officials last week admitted that Khashoggi was killed in a "brawl" at the consulate.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday laid out his country’s initial findings in its investigation, saying Khashoggi's “murder was premeditated."