CIA director Gina Haspel 'heard Khashoggi death audio'

Turkish officials previously said authorities have an audio recording documenting Jamal Khashoggi's killing, which has reportedly been heard by the CIA boss.

The Director of the CIA Gina Haspel has reportedly heard the audio of 'Khashoggi killing'.

The Director of the CIA Gina Haspel has reportedly heard the audio of 'Khashoggi killing'. Source: AAP

CIA director Gina Haspel has heard an audio recording of the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during her visit to Turkey this week, two sources have told Reuters.

Representatives of the CIA and Turkish intelligence declined to comment on Haspel's review of the recording.

Saudi Arabia first denied any involvement in Khashoggi's disappearance on October 2 but a Saudi official eventually attributed his death at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to a botched attempt to return him to the kingdom.

Turkey has dismissed Saudi efforts to blame rogue operatives and urged the kingdom to search "top to bottom" for those responsible for the killing, which has stirred international outrage and condemnation.

Haspel, who arrived in Turkey on Monday, listened to an audio recording of Khashoggi's killing during her visit, according to the sources, speaking on the condition they were not further identified.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday that Ankara had shared information with some parties who sought additional details. He told reporters that Turkey had no intention of taking the case to an international court but would share information if an international inquiry were launched.



Turkish officials have previously said authorities have an audio recording purportedly documenting Khashoggi's killing.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said the Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi leadership was killed in a planned, "savage killing" and demanded Riyadh punish those responsible, no matter how highly placed.

Saudi Arabia's powerful Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman vowed on Wednesday that the killers would be brought to justice, in his first public comments on the matter.

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