Turkish security forces to dig up Istanbul sites in search of Khashoggi remains

Turkish security forces are expected to dig up various sites across Istanbul in search for the remains of Jamal Khashoggi in the coming days.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, has not been heard from since Oct. 2 when he visited the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, amid speculation he was killed by Saudi authorities.

Turkish intelligence officials have information regarding the movements of 15 Saudis, including several officials, who arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was also inside.

All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey, but intelligence officials know when and where the 15 Saudis visited during their stay in Istanbul.

It is expected that in the coming days, Turkish security forces will dig up various spots, including the consul-general's garden, to see whether Khashoggi’s remains are buried there.

Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Riyadh over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post.

Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation of Khashoggi’s fate, while several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the UK -- have expressed their desire that the matter should be elucidated as soon as possible.

A joint Turkish-Saudi team will investigate the disappearance of Khashoggi upon the Kingdom's request, the Turkish president's aide said on Thursday.

“Within the framework of a close cooperation between Turkey and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, upon the suggestion of the Kingdom, a joint working team between Turkey and Saudi Arabia will be formed to investigate the case of Jamal in all its aspects,” İbrahim Kalın said.