Sky News sources say the severely mutilated body of journalist Jamal Khashoggi has been found near the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul. After weeks of speculation surrounding the journalist’s death, forensic investigators have reportedly discovered his body parts in the garden of the Saudi consul general’s home, about 500 metres from the consulate. Two suitcases and possessions believed to belong to Mr Khashoggi have also been located during a search of a Saudi consulate car.
Body parts belonging to Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have been discovered, sources have disclosed to Sky News.
The journalist's body had allegedly been "cut up" and his face "disfigured".
Sources told Sky News Mr Khashoggi's remains were found in the garden of the Saudi consulate general's home, which is about 500 metres away from the consulate in Istanbul.
Freelance journalist Jacob Brown is in Istanbul and told The AM Show the story around Mr Khashoggi's death "just gets more bizarre by the day".
"Whether or not these remains have been located in the consul general's home remains to be seen," he said.
"But if it is, it would be a major development, because it would allow those forensic teams to inspect the body and see whether those injuries to it match up with Saudi Arabia's version of events."
It comes after Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the killing of Mr Kashoggi was "savage" when speaking with MPs from his ruling party.
He has called on Saudi Arabia to provide answers on who ordered the operation, and for the suspects to be tried in Istanbul.
Brown said forensic teams have been at the consul general's home now for about a couple of weeks.
"They initially went in to carry out a search there. As they walked in there, they reported that fresh paint had been put on the walls very recently to suggest that some alterations to these buildings had been made."
The latest word from the Saudi government is that Mr Khashoggi died in a "rogue" operation, but that the government had no knowledge of it.
"The Saudis maintain he died as a result of an altercation inside the consulate," said Brown.
King Salman of Saudi Arabia said at a cabinet meeting that the country would hold to account those responsible for the killing, but did not offer any knowledge of who they were.
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