02:42
Meanwhile, Turkish police are continuing their investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. He was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2nd. On Monday, more clues were gathered, as Turkish officials vowed to do everything in their power to shed light on what exactly happened to Khashoggi. CGTN's Michal Bardavid has the latest.
The latest clue in what is now labelled as a "murder investigation" by Turkish police was found on Monday at a car park at Istanbul's Sultangazi district.
A car with plates belonging to the Saudi consulate had been abandoned in the car park. Forensics teams and police entered the parking lot and cordoned off the area.
Also on Monday new CCTV footage of what appeared to be Khashoggi leaving his home and heading to the consulate with his fiancée Hatice Cengiz.
Over the weekend, Saudi officials admitted Khashoggi was killed, first saying it was due to a fight, later claiming it was a 'rogue operation'.
MICHAL BARDAVID ISTANBUL "Following different narratives from Saudi officials regarding how Khashoggi died at their Consulate in Istanbul - all claiming it was not a planned assassination, Turkish officials have stated they do not find the explanations credible."
OMER CELIK AK PARTY SPOKESMAN "We are facing a situation that has been monstrously planned and later vastly tried to be covered up. When we look at it from this point of view, it is a very complicated murder."
Many international officials and business leaders have pulled out of the economic summit that begins on October 23rd in Riyadh in reaction to Khashoggi's killing. Some U.S. lawmakers have been critical of the Saudis, calling for sanctions, yet the Trump administration has so far been very cautious in their reactions - as President Donald Trump has emphasized on several occasions the significance of the Saudi-U.S. alliance. On Monday, Trump's senior adviser Jared Kushner stated the US was in a "fact finding phase".
Despite carrying out a thorough investigation, Turkish officials also stressed the importance of their alliance with the Saudis.
IBRAHIM KALIN TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL SPOKESMAN "It's very important to find those who are responsible and punish them ensuring nothing will remain in the dark. Saudi Arabia is an important country for us, a brotherly and friendly country. We are cooperating in many fields. We do not want to damage these relations. Therefore, Saudi authorities have important responsibility to enlighten this incident."
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is expected to make an announcement regarding Khashoggi's case in parliament and reveal the truth according to Turkish officials about his death. Michal Bardavid, CGTN, Istanbul.