Four Turkish soldiers were killed and another was wounded on Monday after a military helicopter crashed in a central district of Istanbul, the governor of Istanbul was quoted as saying.

The helicopter was carrying out training flights at the Samandira air base in Istanbul and the reason for its crash has not yet been determined, the state-owned Anadolu news agency cited governor Ali Yerlikaya as saying.

Footage showed the helicopter had crashed in the middle of a residential area in the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul, on the Asian side of the city.

Debris from the crash had scattered across the street, the footage showed. Medical and emergency teams were dispatched to the area, Anadolu said. It said Defence Minister Hulusi Akar would go to the crash site to hold inspections.

Four Turkish soldiers were killed and another was wounded on Monday after a military helicopter crashed in a central district of Istanbul, the governor of Istanbul was quoted as saying.

Four Turkish soldiers were killed and another was wounded on Monday after a military helicopter crashed in a central district of Istanbul, the governor of Istanbul was quoted as saying. The helicopter was carrying out training flights at the Samandira air base in Istanbul and the reason for its crash has not yet been determined, the state-owned Anadolu news agency cited governor Ali Yerlikaya as saying. Footage showed the helicopter had crashed in the middle of a residential area in the Sancaktepe district of Istanbul, on the Asian side of the city. Debris from the crash had scattered across the street, the footage showed. Medical and emergency teams were dispatched to the area, Anadolu said. It said Defence Minister Hulusi Akar would go to the crash site to hold inspections.

Video: Four Turkish soldiers killed as helicopter crashes in central district of Istanbul

Turkey's nationalist MHP will support President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party candidates in local elections in three key cities next year, the MHP leader said on Saturday, in a boost to the AKP`s election prospects.

The AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) formed an alliance before presidential elections last June but were subsequently at loggerheads over a disagreement about the MHP`s call for an amnesty for some jailed criminals.

A month ago MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said his party would not seek an alliance with the AK Party in the March 2019 municipal elections which are being held across Turkey.

At the time his comments triggered a weakening of the lira over concerns that it would lead to political instability.

However, Bahceli announced a change of position on Saturday saying the MHP would not put forward city mayoral candidates for Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Turkey`s three biggest cities.

"Whoever the Justice and Development Party`s (AKP) candidates are in these three big cities our support will be total," Bahceli told officials from his party in a speech in Antalya.&nbsp;

The MHP`s candidates in other municipalities across Turkey would continue to stand, he said, adding there was no "secret agreement" behind his party`s decision.

It was not clear what prompted the change in Bahceli's position.&nbsp;

Bahceli and his MHP party had been staunch critics of Erdogan`s AK Party before they reached agreement on their election alliance this year. Their alliance had been expected to continue despite last month`s decision not to cooperate in the local elections.

The local elections themselves will have little impact on the balance of power in Turkey generally.

Under the presidential system ushered in by the June elections, Erdogan already wields extensive power. However, his AK Party requires the support of MHP lawmakers to achieve a majority and push through legislation in parliament.

Turkey's nationalist MHP will support President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party candidates in local elections in three key cities next year, the MHP leader said on Saturday, in a boost to the AKP`s election prospects.

Turkey's nationalist MHP will support President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party candidates in local elections in three key cities next year, the MHP leader said on Saturday, in a boost to the AKP`s election prospects. The AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) formed an alliance before presidential elections last June but were subsequently at loggerheads over a disagreement about the MHP`s call for an amnesty for some jailed criminals. A month ago MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said his party would not seek an alliance with the AK Party in the March 2019 municipal elections which are being held across Turkey. At the time his comments triggered a weakening of the lira over concerns that it would lead to political instability. However, Bahceli announced a change of position on Saturday saying the MHP would not put forward city mayoral candidates for Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir, Turkey`s three biggest cities. "Whoever the Justice and Development Party`s (AKP) candidates are in these three big cities our support will be total," Bahceli told officials from his party in a speech in Antalya. The MHP`s candidates in other municipalities across Turkey would continue to stand, he said, adding there was no "secret agreement" behind his party`s decision. It was not clear what prompted the change in Bahceli's position. Bahceli and his MHP party had been staunch critics of Erdogan`s AK Party before they reached agreement on their election alliance this year. Their alliance had been expected to continue despite last month`s decision not to cooperate in the local elections. The local elections themselves will have little impact on the balance of power in Turkey generally. Under the presidential system ushered in by the June elections, Erdogan already wields extensive power. However, his AK Party requires the support of MHP lawmakers to achieve a majority and push through legislation in parliament.

Turkey President Erdogan's AKP gets local election boost from nationalists

WION Fineprint: Saudis target Turkish products; 4.8 billion dollar bilateral trade at stake

Turkey on Friday said US President Donald Trump intended to turn a "blind eye" to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder after he said it would <a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">not affect Washington's ties with Riyadh</a>.

Trump's backing of Saudi Arabia, his key ally against Iran, comes despite global outrage over the grisly<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/eu-says-transparent-credible-investigation-into-khashoggi-killing-not-completed-yet-178766"> October 2 killing </a>that has tarnished the image of both the kingdom and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

"In one sense, Trump is saying 'I will turn a blind eye' no matter what happens," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with CNN Turk broadcaster.

"This is not the right approach. Money doesn't mean everything," Cavusoglu said, referring to Trump's continued support for Saudi Arabia, which has committed billions of dollars in US weapons contracts.

Trump on Tuesday glossed over the Central Intelligence Agency's reported conclusion that the crown prince had authorised the killing.

"Maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Trump said, implying Prince Mohammed's culpability in Khashoggi's killing in the Saudi mission in Istanbul.

Trump was widely pilloried for what critics called his mercantile priorities that made him appear more like a lobbyist for Riyadh.

A former Saudi royal insider who became a critic of the crown prince, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered in what Riyadh -- after weeks of denial -- said was a "rogue" operation.

The 59-year-old had gone there for documents he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia has held 21 people in custody over the murder but shielded the powerful crown prince.

Washington earlier this month placed sanctions on 17 Saudis, which also targeted the two top aides to the crown prince by freezing assets under US jurisdiction and forbidding US companies from doing business with them.

The killing and Riyadh's explanations have angered its Western partners.&nbsp;

Germany on Monday said Berlin would bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder.&nbsp;

In October, Germany called for EU countries to follow its lead and suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia, prompting a dismissive response from France, the kingdom's second-biggest customer after India.

But Denmark on Thursday followed suit, freezing all sales of weapons and military equipment to Riyadh. 
Cavusoglu said "artificial measures" would not help solve the crisis.

"They (Europe) say they don't want to upset ties with Saudi Arabia. We do not want to upset our relations either," he said, but added Ankara would do anything to shed light on the murder.

'No obstacle'

Turkey insists the murder was premeditated, sharing evidence with Riyadh as well as with the US and Western allies but stops short of pointing the finger of blame at the prince.&nbsp;

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" but not from King Salman.

Ankara has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting between Erdogan and Prince Mohammed on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Argentina next week.&nbsp;

"We don't see any obstacle to a meeting with the crown prince," Cavusoglu said. "If there is a request, there could be a meeting but our president will decide."

The two men spoke on the phone in late October but that would be the first face-to-face encounter since the murder.

Prince Salman on Thursday embarked on a regional tour starting with Riyadh's close ally United Arab Emirates, his first official trip since the killing.

The prince is also set to travel to the Tunisian capital on Tuesday.

Turkish pro-government media, which has often provided gruesome details of what happened to Khashoggi in a series of leaks maintaining pressure against Riyadh, speculated further on what happened to Khashoggi's body.

Sabah newspaper reported Khashoggi was first strangled using a bag over his head before Salah Muhammed Al-Tubaigy, a lieutenant-colonel in the Saudi forensic department, drained his blood in the bathtub before dismembering him.

Turkey on Friday said US President Donald Trump intended to turn a "blind eye" to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder after he said it would not affect Washington's ties with Riyadh.

Turkey on Friday said US President Donald Trump intended to turn a "blind eye" to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder after he said it would not affect Washington's ties with Riyadh. Trump's backing of Saudi Arabia, his key ally against Iran, comes despite global outrage over the grisly October 2 killing that has tarnished the image of both the kingdom and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. "In one sense, Trump is saying 'I will turn a blind eye' no matter what happens," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in an interview with CNN Turk broadcaster. "This is not the right approach. Money doesn't mean everything," Cavusoglu said, referring to Trump's continued support for Saudi Arabia, which has committed billions of dollars in US weapons contracts. Trump on Tuesday glossed over the Central Intelligence Agency's reported conclusion that the crown prince had authorised the killing. "Maybe he did and maybe he didn't!" Trump said, implying Prince Mohammed's culpability in Khashoggi's killing in the Saudi mission in Istanbul. Trump was widely pilloried for what critics called his mercantile priorities that made him appear more like a lobbyist for Riyadh. A former Saudi royal insider who became a critic of the crown prince, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered in what Riyadh -- after weeks of denial -- said was a "rogue" operation. The 59-year-old had gone there for documents he needed to marry his Turkish fiancee. Saudi Arabia has held 21 people in custody over the murder but shielded the powerful crown prince. Washington earlier this month placed sanctions on 17 Saudis, which also targeted the two top aides to the crown prince by freezing assets under US jurisdiction and forbidding US companies from doing business with them. The killing and Riyadh's explanations have angered its Western partners. Germany on Monday said Berlin would bar 18 Saudis from entering its territory and Europe's Schengen passport-free zone over their alleged links to the murder. In October, Germany called for EU countries to follow its lead and suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia, prompting a dismissive response from France, the kingdom's second-biggest customer after India. But Denmark on Thursday followed suit, freezing all sales of weapons and military equipment to Riyadh. Cavusoglu said "artificial measures" would not help solve the crisis. "They (Europe) say they don't want to upset ties with Saudi Arabia. We do not want to upset our relations either," he said, but added Ankara would do anything to shed light on the murder. 'No obstacle' Turkey insists the murder was premeditated, sharing evidence with Riyadh as well as with the US and Western allies but stops short of pointing the finger of blame at the prince. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" but not from King Salman. Ankara has not ruled out the possibility of a meeting between Erdogan and Prince Mohammed on the sidelines of the G20 meeting in Argentina next week. "We don't see any obstacle to a meeting with the crown prince," Cavusoglu said. "If there is a request, there could be a meeting but our president will decide." The two men spoke on the phone in late October but that would be the first face-to-face encounter since the murder. Prince Salman on Thursday embarked on a regional tour starting with Riyadh's close ally United Arab Emirates, his first official trip since the killing. The prince is also set to travel to the Tunisian capital on Tuesday. Turkish pro-government media, which has often provided gruesome details of what happened to Khashoggi in a series of leaks maintaining pressure against Riyadh, speculated further on what happened to Khashoggi's body. Sabah newspaper reported Khashoggi was first strangled using a bag over his head before Salah Muhammed Al-Tubaigy, a lieutenant-colonel in the Saudi forensic department, drained his blood in the bathtub before dismembering him.

Turkey says Trump turning a 'blind eye' to Khashoggi murder

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina next week amid tensions between Ankara and Riyadh, the Turkish presidential spokesman said Thursday.

"We are looking at the programme," spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in Ankara. "There could be" a meeting between the two men, he said.&nbsp;

Saudi Arabia and Turkey are clashing over the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/cia-has-recording-of-saudi-crown-prince-salman-saying-silence-khashoggi-turkish-news-website-178769">murder of Riyadh critic and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi</a>, 59, inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul last month.

Such a meeting would be the first face-to-face encounter between Erdogan and the crown prince since the killing that tainted the image of Prince Salman, known as MBS, who is seen as the driving force in day-to-day rule of the kingdom.

The two men previously spoke on the phone last month where they discussed joint efforts to shed light on what happened to Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a US resident and Saudi citizen, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and dismembered, according to Turkish prosecutors.

After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody.&nbsp;

However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince. 
Turkey has repeatedly called for those who ordered the murder to be held accountable but has stopped short of directly blaming Prince Mohammed.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina next week amid tensions between Ankara and Riyadh, the Turkish presidential spokesman said Thursday.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of a G20 summit in Argentina next week amid tensions between Ankara and Riyadh, the Turkish presidential spokesman said Thursday. "We are looking at the programme," spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said in Ankara. "There could be" a meeting between the two men, he said. Saudi Arabia and Turkey are clashing over the murder of Riyadh critic and Washington Post contributor Jamal Khashoggi, 59, inside the kingdom's consulate in Istanbul last month. Such a meeting would be the first face-to-face encounter between Erdogan and the crown prince since the killing that tainted the image of Prince Salman, known as MBS, who is seen as the driving force in day-to-day rule of the kingdom. The two men previously spoke on the phone last month where they discussed joint efforts to shed light on what happened to Khashoggi. Khashoggi, a US resident and Saudi citizen, was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, killed and dismembered, according to Turkish prosecutors. After lengthy denials, Saudi authorities admitted responsibility and said 21 people had been taken into custody. However, a CIA analysis leaked to the US media went further, reportedly pointing the finger at the crown prince. Turkey has repeatedly called for those who ordered the murder to be held accountable but has stopped short of directly blaming Prince Mohammed.

Turkey's Erdogan could meet Saudi Crown Prince Salman on sidelines of G20 summit

Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported.

Earlier this month, Bolt finished his&nbsp;football&nbsp;trial at Central Coast Mariners in Australia and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday.

Last week, Bolt said he may give up on his dream of becoming a professional&nbsp;footballer despite having "a lot of offers" and added that he will make a decision on his future by the end of November.

"I have received offers from many clubs. I will make a decision at the end of November. Either I will continue or I will end my dreams. This is not about money. This is my dream," he told reporters.

The mid-season transfer for the Turkish league is between Jan. 5 and Jan. 31, 2019.

Sivasspor could not immediately be reached for comment.

The Turkish club, currently sitting in 11th place in the Super Lig, already has multiple international stars such as Robinho, Carl Medjani, Arouna Kone, Gabriel Torje and Douglas.

Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported.

Turkish top-tier soccer club Sivasspor has contacted Olympic sprint champion Usain Bolt over a potential deal for the second half of the season, state-run TRT television reported. Earlier this month, Bolt finished his football trial at Central Coast Mariners in Australia and will leave the club after failing to agree on commercial terms, the A-League side said on Friday. Last week, Bolt said he may give up on his dream of becoming a professional footballer despite having "a lot of offers" and added that he will make a decision on his future by the end of November. "I have received offers from many clubs. I will make a decision at the end of November. Either I will continue or I will end my dreams. This is not about money. This is my dream," he told reporters. The mid-season transfer for the Turkish league is between Jan. 5 and Jan. 31, 2019. Sivasspor could not immediately be reached for comment. The Turkish club, currently sitting in 11th place in the Super Lig, already has multiple international stars such as Robinho, Carl Medjani, Arouna Kone, Gabriel Torje and Douglas.

Usain Bolt contacted by Turkey's Sivasspor for potential deal: Reports

Gravitas:Donald Trump's thanksgiving Turkey Pardoning gets roasted on Social Media

Khashoggi Killing: Turkey to approach U.N ?

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/opinions/khashoggi-crisis-reshaping-us-politics-and-relations-with-saudi-arabia-178498">turn a blind eye</a> to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic".

Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/americas/donald-trump-stands-by-saudi-prince-despite-journalist-khashoggis-murder-178466">steadfast partner</a>" of Saudi Arabia, despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder to Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist.

Of the possibility Prince Mohammed had a hand in the murder, Trump said: "Maybe he did, maybe he didn`t". His comments contradicted the CIA, which believes Khashoggi`s death was ordered directly by the crown prince, Saudi Arabia`s de facto ruler.

Numan Kurtulmus, the deputy chairman of President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party, dismissed Trump`s assessment. "Yesterday`s statement is a comic statement," he told state broadcaster TRT Haber.

"It is not possible for an intelligence agency such as the CIA, which even knows the colour of the fur on the cat walking around the Saudi consulate`s garden ... to not know who gave this order," he said. "This is not credible either for US public opinion or the world public opinion."

Since Khashoggi`s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month, Turkey has repeatedly said the order came from the "highest levels" of the Saudi government, although it has not directly accused Prince Mohammed.

Saudi Arabia has denied that the crown prince ordered the killing. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when "negotiations" to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

Trump said Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, was an important business partner and a "great ally" in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East.&nbsp;

Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara is not entirely satisfied with the level of cooperation it is receiving from Saudi Arabia regarding the case.

Cavusoglu said Ankara may seek a formal United Nations inquiry if its liaising with Riyadh comes to an impasse.

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to turn a blind eye to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic".

Turkey accused the United States on Wednesday of trying to turn a blind eye to the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, and dismissed comments from President Donald Trump on the issue as "comic". Trump vowed on Tuesday to remain a "steadfast partner" of Saudi Arabia, despite saying that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman may have known about the plan to murder to Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist. Of the possibility Prince Mohammed had a hand in the murder, Trump said: "Maybe he did, maybe he didn`t". His comments contradicted the CIA, which believes Khashoggi`s death was ordered directly by the crown prince, Saudi Arabia`s de facto ruler. Numan Kurtulmus, the deputy chairman of President Tayyip Erdogan`s AK Party, dismissed Trump`s assessment. "Yesterday`s statement is a comic statement," he told state broadcaster TRT Haber. "It is not possible for an intelligence agency such as the CIA, which even knows the colour of the fur on the cat walking around the Saudi consulate`s garden ... to not know who gave this order," he said. "This is not credible either for US public opinion or the world public opinion." Since Khashoggi`s killing at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month, Turkey has repeatedly said the order came from the "highest levels" of the Saudi government, although it has not directly accused Prince Mohammed. Saudi Arabia has denied that the crown prince ordered the killing. After offering numerous contradictory explanations, Riyadh said last week Khashoggi had been killed and his body dismembered when "negotiations" to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Trump said Saudi Arabia, a major oil producer, was an important business partner and a "great ally" in the fight against Iranian power in the Middle East. Following a meeting with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Washington, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Ankara is not entirely satisfied with the level of cooperation it is receiving from Saudi Arabia regarding the case. Cavusoglu said Ankara may seek a formal United Nations inquiry if its liaising with Riyadh comes to an impasse.

Turkey accuses US of turning blind eye to Saudi killing of Khashoggi

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday urged Turkey to swiftly process the legal case of the ex-head of the pro-Kurdish opposition, saying his pre-trial detention had gone on longer than could be justified.

Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and one of Turkey's best known politicians, was sentenced in September to more than four years in jail on terrorism charges related to a speech he gave in 2013.

Having already spent nearly two years in prison awaiting trial for those alleged offences, he had effectively already served out the prison term handed down by the Turkish court.

But Demirtas remains in prison facing several more terrorism-related charges, mostly for other speeches he gave, that could see him sentenced to up to 142 years in jail if found guilty.

"The Court found that the judicial authorities had extended Mr Demirtas' detention on grounds that could not be regarded as 'sufficient' to justify its duration," the Strasbourg-based ECHR said in a statement.

The ECHR ruled that Ankara "was to take all necessary measures to put an end to the applicant's pre-trial detention."

Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul dismissed the court's ruling, saying the country's judiciary would decide on Demirtas' cases.

The government accuses the HDP of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The HDP denies this.

The ECHR also criticised Turkey for keeping Demirtas detained during two elections: a constitutional referendum in 2017 and this year's presidential ballot.

"The extensions of Mr Demirtas' detention, especially during two crucial campaigns... pursued the predominant ulterior purpose of stifling pluralism and limiting freedom of political debate," it said.

The court, which awarded Demirtas 10,000 euros ($11,430) in damages and a further 15,000 euros in costs, ruled against a number of his other complaints and accepted that he had been arrested and detained on "reasonable suspicion" of having committed a criminal offence.

Kati Piri, EU Rapporteur on Turkey, said the clear ECHR verdict meant Demirtas should be released immediately. "His detention is of a political, not a criminal nature."

Kerem Altiparmak, a prominent Turkish human rights advocate and professor, also called for Demirtas' immediate release, as his pre-trial detention was now in violation of both domestic and international law.

ECHR rulings are in theory binding, but there have been many instances in which Turkey has not implemented them, paying fines instead.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday urged Turkey to swiftly process the legal case of the ex-head of the pro-Kurdish opposition, saying his pre-trial detention had gone on longer than could be justified.

The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Tuesday urged Turkey to swiftly process the legal case of the ex-head of the pro-Kurdish opposition, saying his pre-trial detention had gone on longer than could be justified. Selahattin Demirtas, former co-chairman of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and one of Turkey's best known politicians, was sentenced in September to more than four years in jail on terrorism charges related to a speech he gave in 2013. Having already spent nearly two years in prison awaiting trial for those alleged offences, he had effectively already served out the prison term handed down by the Turkish court. But Demirtas remains in prison facing several more terrorism-related charges, mostly for other speeches he gave, that could see him sentenced to up to 142 years in jail if found guilty. "The Court found that the judicial authorities had extended Mr Demirtas' detention on grounds that could not be regarded as 'sufficient' to justify its duration," the Strasbourg-based ECHR said in a statement. The ECHR ruled that Ankara "was to take all necessary measures to put an end to the applicant's pre-trial detention." Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul dismissed the court's ruling, saying the country's judiciary would decide on Demirtas' cases. The government accuses the HDP of links to the outlawed Kurdistan Worker's Party (PKK), considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey, the European Union and the United States. The HDP denies this. The ECHR also criticised Turkey for keeping Demirtas detained during two elections: a constitutional referendum in 2017 and this year's presidential ballot. "The extensions of Mr Demirtas' detention, especially during two crucial campaigns... pursued the predominant ulterior purpose of stifling pluralism and limiting freedom of political debate," it said. The court, which awarded Demirtas 10,000 euros ($11,430) in damages and a further 15,000 euros in costs, ruled against a number of his other complaints and accepted that he had been arrested and detained on "reasonable suspicion" of having committed a criminal offence. Kati Piri, EU Rapporteur on Turkey, said the clear ECHR verdict meant Demirtas should be released immediately. "His detention is of a political, not a criminal nature." Kerem Altiparmak, a prominent Turkish human rights advocate and professor, also called for Demirtas' immediate release, as his pre-trial detention was now in violation of both domestic and international law. ECHR rulings are in theory binding, but there have been many instances in which Turkey has not implemented them, paying fines instead.

European court says Turkey holding Kurdish politician too long without trial

Donald Trump not ready to hear Khashoggi's 'suffering' audio tape

Russia, Iran and Turkey will hold the next round of talks on Syria's conflict on November 28-29 in the Kazakh capital Astana, Kazakhstan's foreign minister said on Monday. &nbsp;

"The participants plan to discuss the current situation in Syria, in particular in Idlib, creating conditions for the return of refugees and internally displaced people, and post-conflict reconstruction," Kairat Abdrakhmanov said in Astana.

The meeting will be the 11th in the Astana peace process -- set up in early 2017 by Russia and Iran, who support President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and opposition backer Turkey.&nbsp;

Abdrakhmanov said representatives of Damascus and armed opposition groups would take part, but did not specify what level of officials from Russia, Iran and Turkey would attend. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The Astana process was launched after Russia's military intervention in Syria tipped the balance in the regime's favour. It has gradually eclipsed an earlier UN-sponsored negotiations framework known as the Geneva process.&nbsp;

This month's meeting comes with continued violence threatening plans for a buffer zone around Idlib, the last major opposition stronghold in Syria.

Russia and Turkey agreed in September to set up the buffer zone to avert a Syrian regime offensive, but jihadists who hold around 70 percent of the area have refused to withdraw.

Fighting in the area has continued, with jihadists on Friday killing 22 regime fighters in an attack on government forces in the northwest of Hama province near the planned zone.

Russia, Iran and Turkey will hold the next round of talks on Syria's conflict on November 28-29 in the Kazakh capital Astana, Kazakhstan's foreign minister said on Monday.

Russia, Iran and Turkey will hold the next round of talks on Syria's conflict on November 28-29 in the Kazakh capital Astana, Kazakhstan's foreign minister said on Monday. "The participants plan to discuss the current situation in Syria, in particular in Idlib, creating conditions for the return of refugees and internally displaced people, and post-conflict reconstruction," Kairat Abdrakhmanov said in Astana. The meeting will be the 11th in the Astana peace process -- set up in early 2017 by Russia and Iran, who support President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, and opposition backer Turkey. Abdrakhmanov said representatives of Damascus and armed opposition groups would take part, but did not specify what level of officials from Russia, Iran and Turkey would attend. The Astana process was launched after Russia's military intervention in Syria tipped the balance in the regime's favour. It has gradually eclipsed an earlier UN-sponsored negotiations framework known as the Geneva process. This month's meeting comes with continued violence threatening plans for a buffer zone around Idlib, the last major opposition stronghold in Syria. Russia and Turkey agreed in September to set up the buffer zone to avert a Syrian regime offensive, but jihadists who hold around 70 percent of the area have refused to withdraw. Fighting in the area has continued, with jihadists on Friday killing 22 regime fighters in an attack on government forces in the northwest of Hama province near the planned zone.

Russia, Iran, Turkey to hold Syria talks next week: Kazakh foreign minister

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability.

The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drilling this year. Ankara has diplomatic relations only with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that no other country recognises.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said exploratory drilling by Exxon Mobil in the eastern Mediterranean with permission from the Greek Cypriot government did not help regional stability and would "upset some sensitive balances".

"We renew our warnings to companies participating in the Greek Cypriots` one-sided exploration and drilling. We remind them that sharing the natural resources of the island of Cyprus relates to the core of the Cyprus issue," Aksoy said in a statement.

"In addition to our own continental shelf, we will start carrying out activities in areas where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has given (state-run oil company) Turk Petrolleri a license," he said.

Last month, Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had hounded a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring tension.

Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.

The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability.

Turkey warned energy companies on Sunday against working with the Greek Cypriot government in carrying out exploratory drilling in the eastern Mediterranean, saying such activities could damage regional stability. The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drilling this year. Ankara has diplomatic relations only with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that no other country recognises. Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said exploratory drilling by Exxon Mobil in the eastern Mediterranean with permission from the Greek Cypriot government did not help regional stability and would "upset some sensitive balances". "We renew our warnings to companies participating in the Greek Cypriots` one-sided exploration and drilling. We remind them that sharing the natural resources of the island of Cyprus relates to the core of the Cyprus issue," Aksoy said in a statement. "In addition to our own continental shelf, we will start carrying out activities in areas where the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has given (state-run oil company) Turk Petrolleri a license," he said. Last month, Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had hounded a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring tension. Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960. The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey warns companies against energy exploration with Greek Cypriot govt

Khashoggi murder: Body parts of Khashoggi may have been taken out of Turkey

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday.

Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, sparking global outrage against the kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Riyadh had offered numerous contradictory explanations for his disappearance, before saying Khashoggi was killed after "negotiations" to convince him to return to Saudi Arabia failed.

Speaking at a panel as part of an international conference in Halifax, Canada, Akar said Khashoggi`s killers may have taken the journalist`s body parts out of Turkey in luggage.

"One probability is that they left the country three to four hours after committing the murder. They may have taken out Khashoggi`s dismembered corpse inside luggage without facing problems due to their diplomatic immunity," CNN Turk cited Akar as saying.&nbsp;

Turkey has said a group of 15 individuals, including a two-man "clean-up team", was involved and that Khashoggi`s body had been dismembered. Turkish officials have also called for an investigation into whether the body was dissolved in acid.

Saudi public prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan said on Thursday that Khashoggi`s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed to an unidentified "local cooperator".

More than a month after the murder, Turkey is trying to maintain pressure on Prince Mohammed, releasing a stream of evidence that undermined Riyadh`s early denials.

US President Donald Trump on Saturday called a CIA assessment blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing "very premature" and said he would receive a complete report on the case on Tuesday.&nbsp;

Turkey says it has recordings related to the killing which it shared with Western allies. One Turkish official told Reuters that officials who heard the recordings, which include Khashoggi`s killing and conversations leading up to the operation, were horrified but their countries had done nothing.

On Thursday, without naming them, Shalaan said the Saudi prosecutor had requested the death penalty for five individuals "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals".

He said 11 of 21 suspects had been indicted and would be referred to court, while investigations of the remaining suspects would continue.

However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he was not satisfied with Shalaan`s statement, pushing Riyadh to disclose the location of Khashoggi`s remains and calling for the suspects to be tried in Turkey.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi may have taken his dismembered body out of Turkey in luggage, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was quoted as saying by broadcaster CNN Turk on Sunday. Khashoggi, a US resident and Washington Post columnist, was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, sparking global outrage against the kingdom and its de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Riyadh had offered numerous contradictory explanations for his disappearance, before saying Khashoggi was killed after "negotiations" to convince him to return to Saudi Arabia failed. Speaking at a panel as part of an international conference in Halifax, Canada, Akar said Khashoggi`s killers may have taken the journalist`s body parts out of Turkey in luggage. "One probability is that they left the country three to four hours after committing the murder. They may have taken out Khashoggi`s dismembered corpse inside luggage without facing problems due to their diplomatic immunity," CNN Turk cited Akar as saying. Turkey has said a group of 15 individuals, including a two-man "clean-up team", was involved and that Khashoggi`s body had been dismembered. Turkish officials have also called for an investigation into whether the body was dissolved in acid. Saudi public prosecutor Shalaan al-Shalaan said on Thursday that Khashoggi`s body was dismembered, removed from the building and handed to an unidentified "local cooperator". More than a month after the murder, Turkey is trying to maintain pressure on Prince Mohammed, releasing a stream of evidence that undermined Riyadh`s early denials. US President Donald Trump on Saturday called a CIA assessment blaming Prince Mohammed for the killing "very premature" and said he would receive a complete report on the case on Tuesday. Turkey says it has recordings related to the killing which it shared with Western allies. One Turkish official told Reuters that officials who heard the recordings, which include Khashoggi`s killing and conversations leading up to the operation, were horrified but their countries had done nothing. On Thursday, without naming them, Shalaan said the Saudi prosecutor had requested the death penalty for five individuals "charged with ordering and committing the crime, and for the appropriate sentences for the other indicted individuals". He said 11 of 21 suspects had been indicted and would be referred to court, while investigations of the remaining suspects would continue. However, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said he was not satisfied with Shalaan`s statement, pushing Riyadh to disclose the location of Khashoggi`s remains and calling for the suspects to be tried in Turkey.

Turkey says Khashoggi killers may have taken body parts out of country: Report

The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved.

The Post said US&nbsp;officials have expressed high confidence in the CIA assessment, which is the most definitive to date linking Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler to the killing and complicates President Donald Trump's efforts to preserve US&nbsp;ties with one of the closest American allies in the region.

Reuters was not immediately able to verify the accuracy of the report, but a source familiar with US&nbsp;intelligence assessments told Reuters US&nbsp;government experts assess with confidence that the crown prince ordered the operation that led to Khashoggi's death.

The White House declined to comment on the Post report, saying it was an intelligence matter. The State Department also declined to comment.

Khashoggi, a contributing columnist for the Washington Post, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October&nbsp;2 when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman.

Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, had resisted pressure from Riyadh for him to return home. Saudi officials have said a team of 15 Saudi nationals were sent to confront Khashoggi at the consulate and that he was accidentally killed in a chokehold by men who were trying to force him to return to the kingdom.

Turkish officials have said the killing was intentional and have been pressuring Saudi Arabia to extradite those responsible to stand trial. An adviser to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Saudi Arabia of trying to cover up the murder.

His remarks came after Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said he was seeking the death penalty for five suspects charged in Khashoggi's killing. The Saudi prosecutor, Shalaan al-Shalaan, told reporters the Saudi crown prince knew nothing of the operation, in which Khashoggi's body was dismembered and removed from the consulate.

The Post, citing people familiar with the matter, said the CIA reached its conclusions after examining multiple sources of intelligence, including a phone call that the prince's brother, Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, had with Khashoggi.

Khalid told Khashoggi he should go to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve the documents and gave him assurances that it would be safe to do so, the Post said.

The newspaper, citing people familiar with the call, said it was not clear if Khalid knew Khashoggi would be killed but that he made the call at his brother's direction.

Ambassador Khalid bin Salman said in a Twitter posted on Friday the last contact he had with Khashoggi was via text on October&nbsp;26, 2017, nearly a year before the journalist's death.

"I never talked to him by phone and certainly never suggested he go to Turkey for any reason. I ask the US government to release any information regarding this claim," he said in his Twitter message.

The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved.

The CIA has concluded that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul, the Washington Post reported on Friday, a finding that contradicts Saudi government assertions that he was not involved. The Post said US officials have expressed high confidence in the CIA assessment, which is the most definitive to date linking Saudi Arabia's de facto ruler to the killing and complicates President Donald Trump's efforts to preserve US ties with one of the closest American allies in the region. Reuters was not immediately able to verify the accuracy of the report, but a source familiar with US intelligence assessments told Reuters US government experts assess with confidence that the crown prince ordered the operation that led to Khashoggi's death. The White House declined to comment on the Post report, saying it was an intelligence matter. The State Department also declined to comment. Khashoggi, a contributing columnist for the Washington Post, was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2 when he went there to pick up documents he needed for his planned marriage to a Turkish woman. Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, had resisted pressure from Riyadh for him to return home. Saudi officials have said a team of 15 Saudi nationals were sent to confront Khashoggi at the consulate and that he was accidentally killed in a chokehold by men who were trying to force him to return to the kingdom. Turkish officials have said the killing was intentional and have been pressuring Saudi Arabia to extradite those responsible to stand trial. An adviser to Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday accused Saudi Arabia of trying to cover up the murder. His remarks came after Saudi Arabia's public prosecutor said he was seeking the death penalty for five suspects charged in Khashoggi's killing. The Saudi prosecutor, Shalaan al-Shalaan, told reporters the Saudi crown prince knew nothing of the operation, in which Khashoggi's body was dismembered and removed from the consulate. The Post, citing people familiar with the matter, said the CIA reached its conclusions after examining multiple sources of intelligence, including a phone call that the prince's brother, Khalid bin Salman, the Saudi ambassador to the United States, had with Khashoggi. Khalid told Khashoggi he should go to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to retrieve the documents and gave him assurances that it would be safe to do so, the Post said. The newspaper, citing people familiar with the call, said it was not clear if Khalid knew Khashoggi would be killed but that he made the call at his brother's direction. Ambassador Khalid bin Salman said in a Twitter posted on Friday the last contact he had with Khashoggi was via text on October 26, 2017, nearly a year before the journalist's death. "I never talked to him by phone and certainly never suggested he go to Turkey for any reason. I ask the US government to release any information regarding this claim," he said in his Twitter message.

CIA has concluded Saudi crown prince ordered journalist's killing: Report

Turkey has ruled out any deal with the United States to scale down its investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi if the US expels a Muslim cleric who Ankara says was behind a failed coup two years ago.

NBC News reported on Thursday that the Trump administration was exploring ways to remove cleric Fethullah Gulen and persuade President Tayyip Erdogan to ease pressure on Saudi Arabia over the killing. The White House said the story was "not accurate".

A senior Turkish official said the issues of Gulen`s extradition, which Turkey has long sought, and the investigation into who was behind Khashoggi`s killing at Saudi Arabia`s Istanbul consulate last month, were separate issues.

"At no point did Turkey offer to hold back on the Khashoggi investigation in return for Fethullah Gulen`s extradition," the official said. "We have no intention to intervene in the Khashoggi investigation in return for any political or legal favour."

Erdogan has said the order for Khashoggi`s killing came from the highest levels of the Saudi leadership. Washington on Thursday announced sanctions over the killings, targeting 17 Saudi officials but not the Riyadh government - an important US security and economic ally.

Some Saudi commentators pointed to the NBC report as evidence that Turkey was trying to use Khashoggi`s killing for political gain.

"I never had any doubt that Turkey was trading with the blood of Jamal Khashoggi," Abdulrahman al-Rashed, a prominent Saudi columnist, wrote on Twitter.

&nbsp;Erdogan has long demanded that Washington extradite Gulen, who denies any involvement in the attempted coup and has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. US officials have said the courts need sufficient evidence to extradite the elderly cleric.&nbsp;

Turkey has ruled out any deal with the United States to scale down its investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi if the US expels a Muslim cleric who Ankara says was behind a failed coup two years ago.

Turkey has ruled out any deal with the United States to scale down its investigation into the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi if the US expels a Muslim cleric who Ankara says was behind a failed coup two years ago. NBC News reported on Thursday that the Trump administration was exploring ways to remove cleric Fethullah Gulen and persuade President Tayyip Erdogan to ease pressure on Saudi Arabia over the killing. The White House said the story was "not accurate". A senior Turkish official said the issues of Gulen`s extradition, which Turkey has long sought, and the investigation into who was behind Khashoggi`s killing at Saudi Arabia`s Istanbul consulate last month, were separate issues. "At no point did Turkey offer to hold back on the Khashoggi investigation in return for Fethullah Gulen`s extradition," the official said. "We have no intention to intervene in the Khashoggi investigation in return for any political or legal favour." Erdogan has said the order for Khashoggi`s killing came from the highest levels of the Saudi leadership. Washington on Thursday announced sanctions over the killings, targeting 17 Saudi officials but not the Riyadh government - an important US security and economic ally. Some Saudi commentators pointed to the NBC report as evidence that Turkey was trying to use Khashoggi`s killing for political gain. "I never had any doubt that Turkey was trading with the blood of Jamal Khashoggi," Abdulrahman al-Rashed, a prominent Saudi columnist, wrote on Twitter. Erdogan has long demanded that Washington extradite Gulen, who denies any involvement in the attempted coup and has lived in self-imposed exile in the United States since 1999. US officials have said the courts need sufficient evidence to extradite the elderly cleric.

Turkey says will not link fate of US-based cleric to Khashoggi

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated."

"We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech.

His comments came shortly after Saudi Arabia admitted that 59-year-old Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate last month.

Riyadh's public prosecutor said the journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds and that five Saudi officials were facing the death penalty over the murder.

"I want to say personally that I don't find some of the statements satisfactory," Cavusoglu said. "This murder was premeditated."

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen stepping into the doors of the Istanbul consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to a Turkish woman.&nbsp;

Turkey has said he was murdered and his body was cut into pieces. After denials, Riyadh admitted that the man was killed in a "rogue" operation.

On Thursday, a spokesman for the Saudi public prosecutor's office said the deputy chief of Saudi intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, had given an order to force Khashoggi home -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to Istanbul had ordered his murder.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" of the Riyadh government but stopped short of pointing the finger of blame at the Saudi crown prince.

Cavusoglu said: "Those who gave the command, as well as instigators, should also be clarified and this process should not be covered up."

He said Turkey would continue to do what was necessary "to shed light on this murder in all its aspects."

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated." "We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech.

Turkey on Thursday said the Saudi statement over the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi was "insufficient" and insisted that the killing was "premeditated." "We find all those steps positive but insufficient," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a televised speech. His comments came shortly after Saudi Arabia admitted that 59-year-old Khashoggi was drugged and dismembered inside the kingdom's Istanbul consulate last month. Riyadh's public prosecutor said the journalist's body parts were then handed over to an agent outside the consulate grounds and that five Saudi officials were facing the death penalty over the murder. "I want to say personally that I don't find some of the statements satisfactory," Cavusoglu said. "This murder was premeditated." Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, was last seen stepping into the doors of the Istanbul consulate to obtain paperwork for his marriage to a Turkish woman. Turkey has said he was murdered and his body was cut into pieces. After denials, Riyadh admitted that the man was killed in a "rogue" operation. On Thursday, a spokesman for the Saudi public prosecutor's office said the deputy chief of Saudi intelligence, General Ahmed al-Assiri, had given an order to force Khashoggi home -- and "the head of the negotiating team" that flew to Istanbul had ordered his murder. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said the order came from "the highest levels" of the Riyadh government but stopped short of pointing the finger of blame at the Saudi crown prince. Cavusoglu said: "Those who gave the command, as well as instigators, should also be clarified and this process should not be covered up." He said Turkey would continue to do what was necessary "to shed light on this murder in all its aspects."

Turkey says Saudi explanation of Khashoggi murder 'insufficient'

Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder.

"We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdogan said.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

Saudi officials said initially that Khashoggi had left the consulate, later saying he died in an unplanned "rogue operation". The kingdom's public prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, has since said he was killed in a premeditated attack.

Speaking ahead of his departure for France to attend commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia to identify the killer from among a 15-man team that arrived in Turkey some days before Khashoggi's killing.

"There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also accused Mojeb -- who visited Istanbul to discuss the investigation with his Turkish counterpart and make inspections in the Istanbul consulate-- of refusing to cooperate, in turn delaying the inquiry.

Following a meeting on Saturday in Paris, US President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron agreed that the Saudi authorities needed to shed full light on Khashoggi's murder, a French presidency source said.

They also agreed that the matter should not be allowed to cause further destabilisation in the Middle East and that it could create an opportunity to find a political resolution to the war in Yemen, according to the official.

Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday.

Turkey has given recordings related to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to Saudi Arabia, the United States, Germany, France and Britain, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday. Turkish sources have said previously that authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting the murder. "We gave the tapes. We gave them to Saudi Arabia, to the United States, Germans, French and British, all of them. They have listened to all the conversations in them. They know," Erdogan said. Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist critical of the Saudi government and its de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, disappeared at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Saudi officials said initially that Khashoggi had left the consulate, later saying he died in an unplanned "rogue operation". The kingdom's public prosecutor, Saud al-Mojeb, has since said he was killed in a premeditated attack. Speaking ahead of his departure for France to attend commemorations to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One, Erdogan called on Saudi Arabia to identify the killer from among a 15-man team that arrived in Turkey some days before Khashoggi's killing. "There's no need to distort this issue, they know for certain that the killer, or the killers, is among these 15 people. Saudi Arabia's government can disclose this by making these 15 people talk," Erdogan said. Erdogan also accused Mojeb -- who visited Istanbul to discuss the investigation with his Turkish counterpart and make inspections in the Istanbul consulate-- of refusing to cooperate, in turn delaying the inquiry. Following a meeting on Saturday in Paris, US President Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron agreed that the Saudi authorities needed to shed full light on Khashoggi's murder, a French presidency source said. They also agreed that the matter should not be allowed to cause further destabilisation in the Middle East and that it could create an opportunity to find a political resolution to the war in Yemen, according to the official.

Khashoggi tapes given to key foreign nations: Turkey's Erdogan

Four soldiers were killed and about 20 injured in an explosion at an army munitions depot in southeast Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday.

The defence ministry said late Friday an artillery shell exploded "accidentally" at the base at Sungu Tepe in Hakkari province near Turkey's borders with Iraq and Iran.

It said 25 soldiers were injured and seven missing after Friday's blast.

Erdogan said in a televised speech Saturday that four soldiers were "martyred" and "about 20" others wounded. He made no mention of any missing.

It was not clear whether the explosion happened during a combat mission or an exercise.

Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast has seen years of violent fighting between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), classified a "terrorist" group by Ankara and its Western allies.

Turkey also regularly bombs PKK bases in northern Iraq.

After a brief truce, fighting resumed in 2015, shattering hopes for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since 1984.

Four soldiers were killed and about 20 injured in an explosion at an army munitions depot in southeast Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday. The defence ministry said late Friday an artillery shell exploded "accidentally" at the base at Sungu Tepe in Hakkari province near Turkey's borders with Iraq and Iran.

Four soldiers were killed and about 20 injured in an explosion at an army munitions depot in southeast Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Saturday. The defence ministry said late Friday an artillery shell exploded "accidentally" at the base at Sungu Tepe in Hakkari province near Turkey's borders with Iraq and Iran. It said 25 soldiers were injured and seven missing after Friday's blast. Erdogan said in a televised speech Saturday that four soldiers were "martyred" and "about 20" others wounded. He made no mention of any missing. It was not clear whether the explosion happened during a combat mission or an exercise. Turkey's predominantly Kurdish southeast has seen years of violent fighting between the Turkish army and the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), classified a "terrorist" group by Ankara and its Western allies. Turkey also regularly bombs PKK bases in northern Iraq. After a brief truce, fighting resumed in 2015, shattering hopes for a peaceful resolution to a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since 1984.

Four Turkish soldiers die in munitions blast: Erdogan

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday.

Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources.

This led investigators to believe the dead body of the insider-turned-critic of the Riyadh regime was disposed of through the drains as liquid, the paper said.

Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. His body has never been found.

After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation.

However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, suggested last week the body may have been dissolved in acid.

And on Monday, a Turkish official said Saudi Arabia sent two experts to Istanbul with the specific aim of covering up evidence after the murder.

Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz took to Twitter on Thursday writing, "I'm unable to express my sorrow to hear about dissolving your body, Jamal!"

"They killed you and chopped up your body, depriving me and your family of conducting your funeral prayer and burying you in Madinah as wished."

A Turkish official this week confirmed a Sabah report that chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani were among a team sent from Saudi amid investigations into the murder.

The paper said they visited the consulate every day from their arrival on October 11 until October 17. Saudi Arabia only allowed Turkish police to search the building on October 15.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources.

The killers of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi poured his remains down the drain after dissolving him in acid, a Turkish newspaper reported Saturday. Samples taken from the drains at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul showed traces of acid, pro-government daily Sabah said, without quoting sources. This led investigators to believe the dead body of the insider-turned-critic of the Riyadh regime was disposed of through the drains as liquid, the paper said. Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his forthcoming marriage. His body has never been found. After repeated denials, Saudi Arabia finally admitted the 59-year-old had been murdered at the mission in a "rogue" operation. However, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused the "highest levels" of the Saudi government of ordering the hit, while some officials have pointed the finger at the all-powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, suggested last week the body may have been dissolved in acid. And on Monday, a Turkish official said Saudi Arabia sent two experts to Istanbul with the specific aim of covering up evidence after the murder. Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee Hatice Cengiz took to Twitter on Thursday writing, "I'm unable to express my sorrow to hear about dissolving your body, Jamal!" "They killed you and chopped up your body, depriving me and your family of conducting your funeral prayer and burying you in Madinah as wished." A Turkish official this week confirmed a Sabah report that chemicals expert Ahmad Abdulaziz al-Janobi and toxicology expert Khaled Yahya al-Zahrani were among a team sent from Saudi amid investigations into the murder. The paper said they visited the consulate every day from their arrival on October 11 until October 17. Saudi Arabia only allowed Turkish police to search the building on October 15.

Saudi journalist Khashoggi's corpse went down the drains: Report

The killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has sparked global outrage and a full-blown crisis for Saudi Arabia.

Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October&nbsp;2.&nbsp;He had gone to collect a document that would allow him to remarry.

For two weeks, Saudi Arabia denied any knowledge of Khashoggi before finally confessing to the killing.

WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke to Khashoggi's friend Tura Khislakchi&nbsp;in Istanbul.

They spoke about the events leading to the brutal killing, Khashoggi's <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-had-not-wanted-to-go-to-saudi-consulate-fiancee-173764">upcoming marriage to Hatice Cengiz</a> — they were to get married the day after Jamal visited the Saudi consulate — and what Khashoggi's future plans looked like.&nbsp;

Did Jamal think he was under threat?

"No, but when his article was published in the Washington Post, some people in Saudi Arabia were threatening him on the internet but he was not aware of it," said&nbsp;Khislakchi.&nbsp;

Jamal had thought people in Saudi Arabia&nbsp;might abduct him but never did he imagine such a horrific outcome, Khislakchi told WION.&nbsp;

Was it because of the newly-crowned prince?&nbsp;&nbsp;

Everything changed when the new prince was crowned, Khislakchi answered. "All the politicians and the rich are in jail."&nbsp;

Khislakchi added that Jamal "left Saudi Arabia about a year back and stayed in Washington. The crown&nbsp;prince was afraid of Jamal's article because people in Saudi Arabia and Gulf area knew Jamal very well. Every time Jamal would publish anything, everybody would read it."

Khislakchi said Prince Salman had told him about five or six months back to send a person to talk to Jamal and ultimately bring him back to Saudi Arabia as his political advisor. That way Jamal&nbsp;would stop writing about Saudi Arabia, but Jamal turned down the offer.&nbsp;

Khislakchi said Jamal was a critic of the regime because of Yemen.

Initially, Jamal was in support of the war on Yemen but four months down the line, when it "got brutal", he turned against it.

Jamal went against the geopolitical strategies of the prince on Qatar, Syria, Kurdish and on Yemen, said&nbsp;Khislakchi. He was also against Turkey.&nbsp;

Khislakchi added that Jamal was not afraid of the Saudi consulate.&nbsp;

Before he had been scheduled to go to the consulate he was in the UK and thereafter met with his finance,&nbsp;Hatice Cengiz, to visit the consulate to collect documents on October 2 when the incident happened.&nbsp;

Khashoggi had gone to the consulate four days back as well but the officials told him to come on October 2. &nbsp;

When he arrived at the consulate with Cengiz&nbsp;on the day they did not allow him to enter.&nbsp;

"That day, they closed all the cameras in the consulate. Some of the Turkish people, when Jamal entered, they put all of them in one room. When Jamal entered in the sound audio room, it is said that within 20 minutes they killed him," Khislakchi narrated.&nbsp;

Khislakchi further said that some people who worked in the consulate could hear Jamal screaming but they were told them to be in their rooms.

Marriage to Hatice Cengiz and the future

It was a surprise for Khislakchi when Khashoggi told him about his plan to marry&nbsp;Hatice Cengiz&nbsp;and&nbsp;to ultimately settle in Turkey, he said.&nbsp;

Khashoggi had told Khislakchi about Cengiz around two months back and requested him to meet with her father for his permission for their marriage.&nbsp;

One primary problem was the age difference - Khashoggi was in his 50s and Cengiz was in her 30s - which posed as a potential hurdle during talks with her father, Khislakchi told WION.&nbsp;

"I spoke to her father, he told me to call Jamal to Turkey. Jamal came on September 8-9 and they talked for an hour about what her father wanted from the marriage proposal," Khislakchi said.&nbsp;

They met after two days again, along with Cengiz's brothers. They spoke for four hours, he said.&nbsp;

Finally, when everything was successful, Khislakchi had asked him "Do you want to live here (Turkey) or the United States?." Khashoggi had said: "Mostly I want to stay in the United States but also come here every three or four months," Khislakchi remembered.

The couple, after they decided to get married, had also bought a house in Turkey, Khislakchi told WION. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has sparked global outrage and a full-blown crisis for Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2.

The killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, has sparked global outrage and a full-blown crisis for Saudi Arabia. Khashoggi was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. He had gone to collect a document that would allow him to remarry. For two weeks, Saudi Arabia denied any knowledge of Khashoggi before finally confessing to the killing. WION's Political Editor Kartikeya Sharma spoke to Khashoggi's friend Tura Khislakchi in Istanbul. They spoke about the events leading to the brutal killing, Khashoggi's upcoming marriage to Hatice Cengiz — they were to get married the day after Jamal visited the Saudi consulate — and what Khashoggi's future plans looked like. Did Jamal think he was under threat? "No, but when his article was published in the Washington Post, some people in Saudi Arabia were threatening him on the internet but he was not aware of it," said Khislakchi. Jamal had thought people in Saudi Arabia might abduct him but never did he imagine such a horrific outcome, Khislakchi told WION. Was it because of the newly-crowned prince? Everything changed when the new prince was crowned, Khislakchi answered. "All the politicians and the rich are in jail." Khislakchi added that Jamal "left Saudi Arabia about a year back and stayed in Washington. The crown prince was afraid of Jamal's article because people in Saudi Arabia and Gulf area knew Jamal very well. Every time Jamal would publish anything, everybody would read it." Khislakchi said Prince Salman had told him about five or six months back to send a person to talk to Jamal and ultimately bring him back to Saudi Arabia as his political advisor. That way Jamal would stop writing about Saudi Arabia, but Jamal turned down the offer. Khislakchi said Jamal was a critic of the regime because of Yemen. Initially, Jamal was in support of the war on Yemen but four months down the line, when it "got brutal", he turned against it. Jamal went against the geopolitical strategies of the prince on Qatar, Syria, Kurdish and on Yemen, said Khislakchi. He was also against Turkey. Khislakchi added that Jamal was not afraid of the Saudi consulate. Before he had been scheduled to go to the consulate he was in the UK and thereafter met with his finance, Hatice Cengiz, to visit the consulate to collect documents on October 2 when the incident happened. Khashoggi had gone to the consulate four days back as well but the officials told him to come on October 2. When he arrived at the consulate with Cengiz on the day they did not allow him to enter. "That day, they closed all the cameras in the consulate. Some of the Turkish people, when Jamal entered, they put all of them in one room. When Jamal entered in the sound audio room, it is said that within 20 minutes they killed him," Khislakchi narrated. Khislakchi further said that some people who worked in the consulate could hear Jamal screaming but they were told them to be in their rooms. Marriage to Hatice Cengiz and the future It was a surprise for Khislakchi when Khashoggi told him about his plan to marry Hatice Cengiz and to ultimately settle in Turkey, he said. Khashoggi had told Khislakchi about Cengiz around two months back and requested him to meet with her father for his permission for their marriage. One primary problem was the age difference - Khashoggi was in his 50s and Cengiz was in her 30s - which posed as a potential hurdle during talks with her father, Khislakchi told WION. "I spoke to her father, he told me to call Jamal to Turkey. Jamal came on September 8-9 and they talked for an hour about what her father wanted from the marriage proposal," Khislakchi said. They met after two days again, along with Cengiz's brothers. They spoke for four hours, he said. Finally, when everything was successful, Khislakchi had asked him "Do you want to live here (Turkey) or the United States?." Khashoggi had said: "Mostly I want to stay in the United States but also come here every three or four months," Khislakchi remembered. The couple, after they decided to get married, had also bought a house in Turkey, Khislakchi told WION.

He never imagined such a horrific outcome, Jamal Khashoggi's friend tells WION

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence protection pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government.

Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drills this year. Ankara only has diplomatic relations with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that is not recognised by other countries.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery of a naval corvette and submarine, Erdogan said countries that thought they could operate in the eastern Mediterranean or Aegean seas without Ankara's agreement were mistaken.

"We will not accept attempts to extract natural resources in our country, Cyprus or in the eastern Mediterranean," Erdogan said.

Last month Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had harassed a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring up tensions.

Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960.

The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday.

Turkey will not allow the exploitation of gas reserves in Turkish and north Cypriot waters of the eastern Mediterranean, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday. The eastern Mediterranean is believed to be rich in natural gas, and attempts to tap resources there have revived tensions between Turkey and Greece, which has a defence protection pact with the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government. Turkey and Cyprus have overlapping claims of marine jurisdiction and both plan to carry out exploratory drills this year. Ankara only has diplomatic relations with a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island that is not recognised by other countries. Speaking at a ceremony to mark the delivery of a naval corvette and submarine, Erdogan said countries that thought they could operate in the eastern Mediterranean or Aegean seas without Ankara's agreement were mistaken. "We will not accept attempts to extract natural resources in our country, Cyprus or in the eastern Mediterranean," Erdogan said. Last month Turkey complained that a Greek frigate had harassed a Turkish exploration ship west of Cyprus. Greece denied the charge and Cyprus accused Turkey of stirring up tensions. Breakaway north Cyprus, which is supported by Ankara, says any offshore wealth also belongs to its citizens, as partners in the establishment of the Cyprus Republic in 1960. The island was split in 1974 after a Turkish invasion triggered by a brief Greek-inspired coup.

Erdogan says other countries cannot extract gas in Turkish, North Cyprus waters

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the order to<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/fiancee-urges-trump-to-back-probe-into-khashoggi-murder-175189"> murder Jamal Khashoggi</a> came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government Friday as he promised no let-up in the hunt for his killers.

A month on from Khashoggi's murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Erdogan said he did "not believe for a second" that King Salman was to blame.

But he pointedly failed to absolve <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/jamal-khashoggi-murder-saudi-crown-prince-told-us-he-was-a-dangerous-islamist-174996">Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman</a> of responsibility for unleashing a "death squad" against the outspoken Saudi journalist whose death has badly tainted the kingdom's de facto ruler.

And in an editorial for Khashoggi's former employer, The Washington Post, Erdogan accused authorities in Riyadh of refusing to answer key questions about the murder, despite their arrest of 18 suspects a fortnight ago.&nbsp;

Erdogan's comments came shortly after one of his top lieutenants charged that Khashoggi's dismembered body was "dissolved" in the consulate as part of an effort to leave no trace of the killing.

"Over the course of the past month, Turkey has moved heaven and earth to shed light on all aspects of this case. As a result of our efforts, the world has learned that Khashoggi was killed in cold blood by a death squad, and it has been established that his murder was premeditated," Erdogan wrote in The Post.&nbsp;

"We know that the perpetrators are among the 18 suspects detained in Saudi Arabia. We also know that those individuals came to carry out their orders: Kill Khashoggi and leave. Finally, we know that the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government."

But he said his government would keep asking other questions "the Saudi authorities have refused to answer", such as the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body and who ordered his assassination.

The murder of the royal insider-turned-dissident has provoked widespread outrage and sharp criticism from Washington, usually the staunchest of allies.&nbsp;

While President Donald Trump has ruled out halting arms deal with Riyadh as a punishment, his administration has effectively withdrawn support for the Saudi-led coalition's war in Yemen in a stark illustration of the cooling of ties.

'Body dissolved'

Addressing mourners at a memorial service in Washington on Friday, the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/khashoggi-murder-outcry-threatens-us-saudi-ties-saudi-prince-says-174743">murdered journalist</a>'s fiancee called on Trump to back Turkey's efforts to investigate his death.

"I would like to send this message to Mr Trump: I would like him to support Turkey's legal efforts in trying to bring light to the situation and to discover the whereabouts of his body," Hatice Cengiz said in a recorded message.

Turkey's chief prosecutor said this week that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate and also confirmed the body was dismembered.

Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, hinted in an article published on Friday that the body may even have been destroyed in acid.&nbsp;

"We now see that it wasn't just cut up, they got rid of the body by dissolving it," &nbsp;an official in Turkey's ruling party, he told the Hurriyet newspaper.

"According to the latest information we have, the reason they cut up the body is it was easier to dissolve it."

A Turkish official has previously told The Post that "biological evidence" found in the consulate garden indicated the body was likely disposed of near the murder scene.

Saudi authorities have denied Turkish police permission to search a well in the garden but allowed them to take water samples for analysis, according to local reports.

Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, hinted in an article published on Friday that the body may even have been destroyed in acid.&nbsp;

"We now see that it wasn't just cut up, they got rid of the body by dissolving it," &nbsp;an official in Turkey's ruling party, he told the Hurriyet newspaper.

"According to the latest information we have, the reason they cut up the body is it was easier to dissolve it."

A Turkish official has previously told The Post that "biological evidence" found in the consulate garden indicated the body was likely disposed of near the murder scene.

Saudi authorities have denied Turkish police permission to search a well in the garden, but allowed them to take water samples for analysis, according to local reports.

The murder has strained the decades-old alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with Trump calling it "one of the worst cover-ups in history".

Saudi Arabia 'must remain stable'

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country shares Riyadh's hostility to Iran, condemned the murder but stressed the need for stability in Saudi Arabia.

"It is very important for the stability of the world, for the region and for the world, that Saudi Arabia remain stable," Netanyahu told reporters Friday on a visit to Bulgaria.

After initially insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, then saying he died in a brawl during an interview gone wrong, the Saudi regime admitted he was killed, blaming a "rogue operation".

The crown prince has denounced the murder as "repulsive" and denied any involvement.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the order to murder Jamal Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government Friday as he promised no let-up in the hunt for his killers.

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the order to murder Jamal Khashoggi came from "the highest levels" of the Saudi government Friday as he promised no let-up in the hunt for his killers. A month on from Khashoggi's murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Erdogan said he did "not believe for a second" that King Salman was to blame. But he pointedly failed to absolve Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of responsibility for unleashing a "death squad" against the outspoken Saudi journalist whose death has badly tainted the kingdom's de facto ruler. And in an editorial for Khashoggi's former employer, The Washington Post, Erdogan accused authorities in Riyadh of refusing to answer key questions about the murder, despite their arrest of 18 suspects a fortnight ago. Erdogan's comments came shortly after one of his top lieutenants charged that Khashoggi's dismembered body was "dissolved" in the consulate as part of an effort to leave no trace of the killing. "Over the course of the past month, Turkey has moved heaven and earth to shed light on all aspects of this case. As a result of our efforts, the world has learned that Khashoggi was killed in cold blood by a death squad, and it has been established that his murder was premeditated," Erdogan wrote in The Post. "We know that the perpetrators are among the 18 suspects detained in Saudi Arabia. We also know that those individuals came to carry out their orders: Kill Khashoggi and leave. Finally, we know that the order to kill Khashoggi came from the highest levels of the Saudi government." But he said his government would keep asking other questions "the Saudi authorities have refused to answer", such as the whereabouts of Khashoggi's body and who ordered his assassination. The murder of the royal insider-turned-dissident has provoked widespread outrage and sharp criticism from Washington, usually the staunchest of allies. While President Donald Trump has ruled out halting arms deal with Riyadh as a punishment, his administration has effectively withdrawn support for the Saudi-led coalition's war in Yemen in a stark illustration of the cooling of ties. 'Body dissolved' Addressing mourners at a memorial service in Washington on Friday, the murdered journalist's fiancee called on Trump to back Turkey's efforts to investigate his death. "I would like to send this message to Mr Trump: I would like him to support Turkey's legal efforts in trying to bring light to the situation and to discover the whereabouts of his body," Hatice Cengiz said in a recorded message. Turkey's chief prosecutor said this week that Khashoggi was strangled as soon as he entered the consulate and also confirmed the body was dismembered. Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, hinted in an article published on Friday that the body may even have been destroyed in acid. "We now see that it wasn't just cut up, they got rid of the body by dissolving it," an official in Turkey's ruling party, he told the Hurriyet newspaper. "According to the latest information we have, the reason they cut up the body is it was easier to dissolve it." A Turkish official has previously told The Post that "biological evidence" found in the consulate garden indicated the body was likely disposed of near the murder scene. Saudi authorities have denied Turkish police permission to search a well in the garden but allowed them to take water samples for analysis, according to local reports. Yasin Aktay, an advisor to Erdogan, hinted in an article published on Friday that the body may even have been destroyed in acid. "We now see that it wasn't just cut up, they got rid of the body by dissolving it," an official in Turkey's ruling party, he told the Hurriyet newspaper. "According to the latest information we have, the reason they cut up the body is it was easier to dissolve it." A Turkish official has previously told The Post that "biological evidence" found in the consulate garden indicated the body was likely disposed of near the murder scene. Saudi authorities have denied Turkish police permission to search a well in the garden, but allowed them to take water samples for analysis, according to local reports. The murder has strained the decades-old alliance between the United States and Saudi Arabia, with Trump calling it "one of the worst cover-ups in history". Saudi Arabia 'must remain stable' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whose country shares Riyadh's hostility to Iran, condemned the murder but stressed the need for stability in Saudi Arabia. "It is very important for the stability of the world, for the region and for the world, that Saudi Arabia remain stable," Netanyahu told reporters Friday on a visit to Bulgaria. After initially insisting Khashoggi left the consulate unharmed, then saying he died in a brawl during an interview gone wrong, the Saudi regime admitted he was killed, blaming a "rogue operation". The crown prince has denounced the murder as "repulsive" and denied any involvement.

Turkey's Erdogan says murder of Khashoggi came from 'highest levels' of Saudi govt

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