Turkish Police Believe Disappeared Saudi Journalist Killed - Reports

Turkish police reportedly believe that the prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who disappeared earlier after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul Tuesday had been killed.

Prominent Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi went missing after visiting the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul earlier. The journalist entered the consulate; however, the Turkish officials said that no proof has been found that Khashoggi left the mission. Riyadh assured that he left the premises the same day.

Two sources told Reuters that Turkish authorities believe that Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate. Hours later, Saudi consulate in Istanbul denied that the journalist was killed at the consulate, Reuters reported.

"The initial assessment of the Turkish police is that Mr. Khashoggi has been killed at the consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul. We believe that the murder was premeditated and the body was subsequently moved out of the consulate," a Turkish official was quoted by Reuters as saying.

READ MORE: Saudi Crown Prince to Allow Turkey to Search Consulate for Missing Journalist

Previously, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman stated that he was ready to allow Turkey to search for the missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi within the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul.