Family of Saudi journalist considers him 'missing'

By Khalaf Rasha and Gulsen Topcu

ANKARA

The family of missing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi considers him "missing" until given proof otherwise, U.S. broadcaster CNN reported Thursday.

Motasem Khashoggi, the Saudi journalist’s cousin and the family’s spokesperson, told CNN in a statement that the family does not have "legal or official proof" of his death.

Saying he believes the investigation will conclude quickly, Motasem called on the media to only use official sources on Jamal’s disappearance.

He said Jamal represented his country, family and profession at the highest level, adding he was “never a dissident".

Motasem added that the Khashoggi family has been in close contact with the Saudi government “at the highest level".

Jamal Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2 when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

On the same day of Khashoggi's disappearance, 15 other Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while he was still inside, according to Turkish police sources. All of the identified individuals have since left Turkey.

On Wednesday, crime scene investigation units arrived at the official residence of Saudi Consul General Mohammad al-Otaibi around 4.40 p.m. local time (1340GMT). Al-Otaibi had left Turkey for Riyadh on Tuesday.

Officials from a joint Turkish-Saudi team completed an investigation into the case early Thursday after searching the residence as well as the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.