WHAT HAPPENED?
Missing journalist, Jamal Khashoggi, feared murdered in Turkey is of ‘grave concern’, Jeremy Hunt warns
REPORTS that a missing Arab journalist has been murdered in Turkey are of "grave concern", Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.
Audio recordings of 59-year-old Jamal Khashoggi, who hasn't been seen since October 2, may have captured his death on his Apple Watch, reports claimed last week.
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The 59-year-old was last seen entering the Saudi embassy building in Istanbul to carry out paperwork, but his family haven't heard from him since.
The Washington Post writer is feared to have been killed inside the consulate, but Saudi Arabia has denied the reports.
Audio and video recordings emerged proved he was tortured and murdered inside a Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, by a 15-strong hit team - and US President Donald Trump has vowed "severe punishment" if the Government are found to be behind it.
Today Mr Hunt expressed British concerns for the journalist for the first time - with a joint statement with other European counterparts.
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CCTV footage captures missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi entering Saudi Arabia's consulate in Turkey
He, the foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian of France and Heiko Maas of Germany said today: "Defending freedom of expression and a free press and ensuring the protection of journalists are key priorities for Germany, the United Kingdom and France.
"In this spirit, light must be shed on the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose family has lost contact with him since October 2nd.
"Germany, the United Kingdom and France share the grave concern expressed by others including HRVP Mogherini and UNSG Guterres, and are treating this incident with the utmost seriousness."
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They demanded a "credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened" and make sure those who are responsible are held to account.
And the leaders demanded the Saudi Government to provide a response to explain what happened.
Last week Mr Hunt said he had met with the ambassador Prince Mohammed bin Nawaf Al Saud to "seek answers" about what had happened to him.
Donald Trump concerned about fate of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi amid fears he was killed inside Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey
's fiancée Hatice Cengiz said she waited outside the consulate for eleven hours, but he did not come out.
Turkish spies have told officials they eavesdropped on the October 2 killing, with US officials notified.
The audio recording in particular is said to provide “persuasive and gruesome” evidence that an assassin team was responsible, officials said.
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But Saudi Arabi says he disappeared "after he left" the building.
Saudi and Turkish officials are said to be investigating the matter.
The journalist had long-standing ties to the Saudi royals, but become an arch critic of Donald Trump ally Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has denied foul play.
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