The investigation team included prosecutors and forensics experts in white overalls
Turkish investigators have entered the residence of the Saudi consul in Istanbul to gather more evidence about the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi.
Turkish officials suspect the Saudi journalist was killed during a visit to the nearby consulate on October 2.
The consul, Mohammed al-Otaibi, flew back to Riyadh on Tuesday. He denies knowing what happened to Mr Khashoggi.
However, a Turkish newspaper says Mr Otaibi can be heard in purported audio recordings of Mr Khashoggi’s death.
Yeni Safak, which is close to the government, quotes him as telling alleged Saudi agents sent to Istanbul: “Do this outside. You’re going to get me in trouble.”
Gruesome details said to be of Mr Khashoggi’s last moments have emerged in a range of media outlets.
In Washington, President Trump says his administration has asked to hear the audio recording – “if it exists”.
“I want to find out what happened, where was the fault,” he told reporters.
He also dismissed the idea he was “giving cover” to the Saudis – a key US ally.
Mr Trump earlier cautioned against rushing to blame Saudi leaders, telling the Associated Press that they were being treated as “guilty until proven innocent”.
Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed the case with Turkey’s president and foreign minister during a visit to Ankara. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said the meeting was “beneficial and fruitful”.
On Tuesday, Mr Pompeo travelled to Riyadh for talks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who he said “strongly denied” any involvement in the journalist’s disappearance.
Mr Khashoggi is a US resident and columnist for the Washington Post who went into self-imposed exile last year after reportedly being warned by Saudi officials to stop criticising the crown prince’s policies.
On Wednesday afternoon, Turkish investigators entered the Saudi consul’s residence, about 200m (650ft) from the consulate, as part of the probe into Mr Khashoggi’s disappearance.
The team reportedly included prosecutors and forensics experts in white overalls.
The search had been expected to take place on Tuesday, but it was delayed because the consul’s family were still inside, Mr Cavusoglu said.
They eventually left Turkey on a commercial flight on Tuesday afternoon.
Several vehicles with Saudi diplomatic number plates were filmed by CCTV cameras moving from the consulate to the residence just under two hours after the journalist entered the consulate on October 2. -BBC
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