Erdogan’s Aide Says Saudi Crown Prince Responsible for Khashoggi's Death

ANKARA (Sputnik) – Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud is responsible for the death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkish presidential aide Ilnur Cevik said on Wednesday.

"There are many inconsistencies and lies in what Saudi Arabia says, even a child will not trust them. That is an obvious shame that touches also Crown Prince [Mohammed bin] Salman. At least five people from the ‘team of murderers’ are from his closest circle, others would not have acted without their permit … That is why even if US President Donald Trump saves the crown prince, he will nevertheless remain in the eyes of the whole world a person with the hands coated with blood of Khashoggi," Erdogan's aide, Ilnur Cevik, told the Yeni Birlik media outlet.

READ MORE: US Struggling with Relations on Both Sides of Saudi-Turkey Rivalry — Professor

Khashoggi, known for his criticism of Saudi policies, was working as a columnist for The Washington Post. The journalist was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Following more than two weeks of denials, Saudi Arabia admitted on Friday that the journalist had been killed in a brawl inside the consulate. According to Riyadh, 18 people have been arrested over their involvement in the incident. Turkey is conducting a separate investigation into the journalist's death.