The flight path of two Gulfstream IV planes from Saudi Arabia has raised suspicions following the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was last seen at his consulate in Istanbul.
Turkish police investigating the case said in a statement Saturday that 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the consulate while Khashoggi was inside.
The Saudi officials that arrived in Istanbul allegedly stayed in two different five-star hotels close to the consulate.
The HZSK-1 plane touched down in Istanbul the day Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate but instead of returning to Saudi Arabia, the aircraft first visited Egypt’s capital, Cairo.
Security sources claim that alive or dead, Khashoggi was brought to the airport in vehicles with diplomatic immunity by personnel whose bags and suitcases were not searched because they too had diplomatic immunity.
The HZSK-2 private jet left Istanbul at midnight the day Khashoggi went missing and visited the UAE’s Dubai before flying to Saudi Arabia.
Both aircrafts flew to Riyadh on the final leg of their journey.
"The burden of proof is on Saudi Arabia to produce evidence for its claim that Khashoggi left the consulate alone, and that Saudi agents have not detained him," said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East director of Human Rights Watch.
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt have worked together previously, as they tried to sever Qatar’s ties with the rest of the world by imposing boycotts, however Turkey had ruined their ploy. Qatar has remained at odds with Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates since June 5 of last year, when they accused Doha of supporting terrorism -- allegations Doha denies -- and collectively severed ties with the country.
Khashoggi, journalist and columnist for The Washington Post who has lived in self-imposed exile in Washington for the past year fearing retribution for his criticism of Saudi policies, has been missing since he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has also expressed concern, saying on Monday that Saudi officials must prove whether or not Khashoggi exited the building after entering, as they claim.
