Khashoggi Killing: Sons Ask To Return Father’s Body, Report Says Saudi Sent ’Cover-Up Team’ To Dispose of It

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Saudi Arabia sent a toxicologist and a chemicals expert to Istanbul to cover up the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi before the Turkish police searched the kingdom's consulate, a senior Turkish official said Monday.

"We believe that the two individuals came to Turkey for the sole purpose of covering up evidence of Jamal Khashoggi's murder before the Turkish police were allowed to search the premises," the official said on condition of anonymity.

A newspaper close to Turkey's government also Monday reported that a team from Saudi Arabia sent to help Turkish authorities investigate Khashoggi's death worked instead to remove evidence of the slaying.

Sabah newspaper, citing "trusted sources," said that an 11-member team of Saudi investigators that arrived in Turkey nine days after Khashoggi was killed included a chemical expert and a toxicology expert.

Also Monday, Turkey's Vice President Fuat Oktay said reports that Khashoggi's body was dissolved in acid need to be investigated.

Meanwhile, his sons asked Saudi authorities to return the body of their father so the family can properly grieve, they told CNN in an interview aired Sunday.

"I really hope that whatever happened wasn't painful for him, or it was quick. Or he had a peaceful death," Abdullah Khashoggi told the US network during the interview in Washington.

His brother Salah said "all what we want right now is to bury him in Al Baqi in Medina with the rest of his family," referencing a cemetery in Saudi Arabia.

"I talked about that with the Saudi authorities and I just hope that it happens soon."

Khashoggi's sons voiced worry that the work of their father, a columnist for The Washington Post, was being distorted for political reasons.

"I see a lot of people coming out right now and trying to claim his legacy and unfortunately some of them are using that in a political way that we totally don't agree with," Salah told CNN. "My fear is that it's being over politicized."

The brothers said they have relied primarily on news reports to piece together an understanding of their father's death.

"There's a lot of ups and downs.... We're trying to get the story -- bits and pieces of the story to complete the whole picture," Abdullah said. "It's confusing and difficult."

"It's not a normal situation and not a normal death."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team