Transcript for Trump points to ‘rogue killers’ in journalist’s disappearance
We begin with fast-moving developments in the disappearance of Jamal khashoggi. Turkish authorities say he was killed. You remember this surveillance, khashoggi going into the consulate, his fiancee waiting outside. And now, the first Saudi investigators going into the door. Our team on the scene. This is now 13 days since his disappearance. Tonight, president trump says he has talked to the Saudi king, that he denies any knowledge, and the president saying this could be rogue killers. Here’s Ian Pannell from the scene tonight. Reporter: A team of Saudi investigators sweeping into their consulate even as the Saudis face accusations that the missing “Washington post” columnist was tortured and murdered inside. Then Turkish plainclothes police suddenly move in, sealing the area off. Well, completely chaotic scenes here in istanbul outside the Saudi consulate. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. The Turkish prosecutors and investigators finally turned up to find out what happened 13 days after Jamal khashoggi disappeared. ABC news being told the Saudis tried to block the Turkish forensics team but eventually they were let in. The Turks have said the Saudis murdered Jamal khashoggi, Turkish sources reportedly claim they have tapes proving he was “Interrogated, tortured, and then murdered.” The Saudis repeated their denial again on the phone today with president trump. The king firmly denied any knowledge of it. He didn’t really know. Maybe — I don’t want to get into his mind, but it sounded to me like maybe these could have been rogue killers. Who knows? Reporter: This is khashoggi, entering the consulate to get paperwork for his marriage nearly two weeks ago. It’s the last time anyone has seen the u.s.-based writer, who’s a vocal critic of the Saudi royal family. Flight records obtained by ABC news show two private planes from Riyadh arrived and departed that day, staying for 1 1/2 and 19 hours respectively. The Turks allege it was a 15-man Saudi hit squad. But pro-saudi media claims they were, quote, “Simply tourists.” This has become a major diplomatic incident. Overnight, the president explaining why he’s hesitant to sanction Saudi Arabia. I don’t want to lose jobs. Reporter: Today, president trump sending his secretary of state to meet face-to-face with the Saudis. And a report that the Saudis will soon admit khashoggi’s death was due to an interrogation gone wrong. Ian, you reported that the flight records show the planes were on the ground, one for 19 hours, and the other for just an hour and a half. How likely is it that these were rogue killers? Reporter: Yeah, David, I mean, it’s highly unlikely that rogue killers could get into a highly secure compound like that. No one is getting in or out without the Saudis’ say-so. Did they allow rogue killers inside? No. Are they under pressure? Absolutely. Ian, thank you. Back at home, president trump and the first lady seeing
This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.
