+ A
A -
AFP
Istanbul
Funeral prayers in absentia were held for slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi in many cities around the world as Turkish media claimed Ankara has a second audio tape discrediting Saudi Arabia's version of the killing.
The Turkish daily Hurriyet reported that Turkey has more evidence, including a second audio tape of 15 minutes, contradicting the Saudi version of events.
Abdulkadir Selvi, a pro-government columnist in the Hurriyet daily, claimed on Friday that the newly-obtained audio tape proved that a 15-member"killer team" waiting in the consulate before Khashoggi's arrival was discussing how to carry out the murder.
The tape, of the moment shortly before the journalist arrived, clearly showed the murder was planned in advance, he said. The first tape allegedly proved that Khashoggi was strangled.
Turkey also has evidence that the team made international calls after the murder, said Selvi. In the 15-minute recording, the Saudi operatives are discussing the murder plan as well as the role of each member of the hit squad.
Meanwhile, dozens of people paid homage to Khashoggi at a symbolic funeral in Istanbul.
In the absence of a body, the crowd gathered at Fatih mosque in front of an empty platform traditionally reserved for the coffin.
Supporters from the newly-formed Jamal khashoggi Friends Association were among the mourners.
"We decided to hold the prayers as we are convinced that his body will never be found," Fatih Oke, executive director of the Turkish-Arab Media Association (TAM) of which Khashoggi was a member, said.
Saudi prosecutors on Thursday announced indictments against 11 people and said 21 individuals were in custody in connection with the killing.
Meanwhile, the Foreign Ministry in Berlin has called on Saudi Arabia to conduct a seamless and transparent investigation after Riyadh announced it had charged 11 people in the case of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Together with its European partners, Germany will evaluate the findings and draw conclusions, a ministry spokesman said on Friday in Berlin. pagE 7
