Erdogan: Investigators looked for ‘toxic materials’ at Saudi consulate

ISTANBUL — Turkish media are quoting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying police investigators have searched for traces of “toxic materials” at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi disappeared two weeks ago.

NTV television says Erdogan made the comments to a group of journalists on Tuesday.

Turkish officials believe Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the consulate. Saudi Arabia previously called the allegation “baseless,” but reports suggest they may acknowledge Khashoggi was killed there.

Turkish forensic investigators searched the consulate overnight. A Turkish official says on Tuesday the top Saudi diplomat’s residence in Istanbul would also be searched.

State-run Anadolu Agency quotes Erdogan as saying Turkey wished a “result that allows us to reach an opinion” as to what happened to the journalist.

— AP