Turkish team enters Saudi consulate to search missing journalist

Turkish policemen work outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, Oct. 15, 2018. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Turkish team entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Monday evening to conduct a search over the disappearance of the Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, live broadcast showed.

The Turkish delegation, including police officers and crime scene investigators, came to the front of the consulate building in seven to eight vehicles, including a forensic van, according to the live broadcast by private Demiroren agency.

Police have increased the security measures around the neighborhood, cordoning off all roads leading to the mission.

Hours earlier, a Saudi team of 15 people arrived at the consulate building, after meeting with Turkish authorities at the Istanbul security headquarters.

The two countries agreed last week to work together on the case and conduct a joint search in the consulate, where Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2.

Meanwhile, Turkish police increased security measures around the area and sealed off the entrance to the mission.

Turkey believes the journalist was murdered with his body removed, while Saudi Arabia has dismissed such allegations.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud spoke on the phone about the issue on Sunday evening.