Turkey obtains recordings of Saudi journalist's purported killing - paper

[rooster59]

Turkey obtains recordings of Saudi journalist's purported killing - paper

By Daren Butler

 

 

ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkey's investigation into the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has revealed recordings made on his Apple Watch purportedly indicating he was tortured and killed, a Turkish newspaper reported on Saturday.

 

The report in the pro-government Sabah daily, which could not immediately be verified, emerged after a delegation from Saudi Arabia arrived in Turkey for a joint investigation into his disappearance.

 

"The moments when Khashoggi was interrogated, tortured and murdered were recorded in the Apple Watch's memory," the paper said, adding that the watch had synched with his iPhone, which his fiancee was carrying outside the consulate.

 

Two senior Turkish officials previously told Reuters that Khashoggi had been wearing a black Apple watch when he entered the consulate and that it was connected to a mobile phone he left outside.

 

However, it was not clear whether data from Khashoggi’s watch could have been transmitted to his phone outside, or how investigators could have retrieved it without obtaining the watch themselves.

 

Technology experts say it is highly unlikely the watch could have recorded actions inside the embassy and uploaded them to an iCloud account. Most models of the watch require that it be within 30 to 50 feet (9-15 metres) of the iPhone that it is paired with to upload data to Apple’s iCloud, they said.

 

Even newer models that can communicate with the cloud directly via wireless require either connection to a nearby WiFi network or a type of cellular connection that is not available in Turkey, the experts say.

 

RECORDINGS

 

Sabah, which cited "reliable sources in a special intelligence department" for its report, said Khashoggi was believed to have turned on the recording feature on the watch before entering the consulate.

 

The paper said Saudi intelligence agents had realised after he died that the watch was recording and they used his finger print to unlock it, deleting some files, but not all of them. The recordings were subsequently found on his phone, it said.

 

On Thursday, Turkey said it and Saudi Arabia had agreed to form a joint working group - at Riyadh's initiative - to investigate the case. A Saudi source said a senior royal, Prince Khaled al-Faisal, had visited Turkey that day.

 

Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2to get documents for his forthcoming marriage. Saudi officials say he left shortly afterwards but Turkish officials and his fiancee, who was waiting outside, said he never came out.

 

Turkish sources have told Reuters the initial assessment of the police was that Khashoggi, an outspoken critic of the Saudi government, had been deliberately killed inside the consulate. Riyadh has dismissed the claims.

 

SPA said on Friday that Saudi Arabia's interior minister, Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif, condemned the "lies and baseless allegations" against the kingdom, although he praised the joint investigation with Turkey.

 

The Saudi delegation, which arrived in Turkey on Thursday, is meeting a Turkish prosecutor investigating the case as well as representatives from the Justice Ministry, Interior Ministry, police and the national intelligence agency, one source said.

 

On Tuesday, the Turkish foreign ministry said the Saudi consulate in Istanbul would be searched as part of the investigation.

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-10-13

[surangw]

savages 

[pegman]

A couple months ago when Canada called out the Saudi thugs for inprisoning a female human rights activist we heard crickets from the other G7 nations. Let's see if Trump, May, Macron, Merke

 and the others let oil $$$ decide the direction of their moral compasses again.

[Bluespunk]

1 hour ago, pegman said:

A couple months ago when Canada called out the Saudi thugs for inprisoning a female human rights activist we heard crickets from the other G7 nations. Let's see if Trump, May, Macron, Merke

 and the others let oil $$$ decide the direction of their moral compasses again.

trump’s already made clear that arms deals are more important than this man’s life. 

[champers]

1 hour ago, Bluespunk said:

trump’s already made clear that arms deals are more important than this man’s life. 

Ditto UK and France.

[AlexRich]

Is it possible that an intelligence service has the place bugged, the Apple Watch story being just a cover story? Nothing will happen as Trump and Kushner are on the Saudi payroll ... Bin Salman is simply getting his money's worth. 

[PhiloB]

"The paper said Saudi intelligence agents had realised after he died that the watch was recording and they used his finger print to unlock it..."

 

There is no fingerprint sensor on an Apple Watch!

[klauskunkel]

Quote

"This is a very serious thing and we're looking at it in a very serious manner," Trump said.

He will employ the most serious of mannerisms when looking at that serious thing.

[Emdog]

I heard the watch was streaming the video/audio to a nearby smart phone. If recorded solely on watch, we'd never have known.... think a bit: Saudi hit team leave consulate with body yet toss phone with recordings to waiting crowd?  They may have used fingerprint to unlock watch, but the evidence was not only there, but off where they couldn't erase it.

[Srikcir]

9 hours ago, AlexRich said:

Is it possible that an intelligence service has the place bugged

That may be the Saudi's suspicion and reason they brought in immediately an "investigation team" to go through the embassy for "evidence" - Turkey intelligence surveillance devices? But even a lap top can be turned remotely into a video and audio recorder. But the story about the Apple watch may also be true, just not as effective a surveillance device. 

 

Probably what will be more critical are any US, British and Israeli intercepts made prior to the alleged departure of the assassin team to Turkey, Saudi Embassy post assassination communications and departure of the assassin team back to Saudi Arabia. Such independent intercepts would collaborate any Turkish alleged intercepts or surveillance.

I suspect that if the US had an intercept of the plan for Saudi threat to Jamal, it would have continued to maintain constant intercepts going forward as a minimum in electronic storage and retrieved after Jamal's time of 'disappearance.'

[spidermike007]

Mohammed bin Salman is the new Al Capone for SA. A thug serial killer, in sheep's clothes. Hopefully he will become a worldwide pariah, as well as his sorry nation. They have been getting away with supporting terror for decades now. They are being called out now, and taking responsibility for their actions is not something they are accustomed to doing as they are always being defended by weak nations like the US and the UK. 

 

A sorry lot of former sheepherders, posing as world citizens. Without oil the House of Saud is less than zero. 

[Srikcir]

52 minutes ago, Srikcir said:

Such independent intercepts would collaborate any Turkish alleged intercepts or surveillance.

The sudden release of US Pastor Andrew Brunson on Saturday certainly would favor US intelligence sharing with Turkey with regard to Jamal's disappearance while giving POTUS Trump a diplomatic win.

[AlexRich]

1 hour ago, Srikcir said:

That may be the Saudi's suspicion and reason they brought in immediately an "investigation team" to go through the embassy for "evidence" - Turkey intelligence surveillance devices? But even a lap top can be turned remotely into a video and audio recorder. But the story about the Apple watch may also be true, just not as effective a surveillance device. 

 

Probably what will be more critical are any US, British and Israeli intercepts made prior to the alleged departure of the assassin team to Turkey, Saudi Embassy post assassination communications and departure of the assassin team back to Saudi Arabia. Such independent intercepts would collaborate any Turkish alleged intercepts or surveillance.

I suspect that if the US had an intercept of the plan for Saudi threat to Jamal, it would have continued to maintain constant intercepts going forward as a minimum in electronic storage and retrieved after Jamal's time of 'disappearance.'

 

Just watched the Lawrence O'Donnell US nightly show and he/guests were suggesting that the detailed recording of the torture, etc was Turkish covert bugging of the premises, and he also mentioned the likelihood that the US knew of the threat beforehand. I think the Apple watch is simply a cover story.

[hotchilli]

USA, UK, France, Russia and China are the 5 main traders in arms around the world, also all having permanent seats on the UN security council... this ones going to be interesting to see how they all react !!

[Morch]

17 hours ago, pegman said:

A couple months ago when Canada called out the Saudi thugs for inprisoning a female human rights activist we heard crickets from the other G7 nations. Let's see if Trump, May, Macron, Merke

 and the others let oil $$$ decide the direction of their moral compasses again.

 

As far as I recall, despite some tough posturing from posters, the Canadian government sorta scrambled to try and patch relationship ASAP.

[Morch]

16 hours ago, Bluespunk said:

trump’s already made clear that arms deals are more important than this man’s life. 

 

Which is pretty much how most governments with firms having big contracts in SA react to such transgressions. The main difference is that usually they are being more diplomatic about it.

[Morch]

3 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

Mohammed bin Salman is the new Al Capone for SA. A thug serial killer, in sheep's clothes. Hopefully he will become a worldwide pariah, as well as his sorry nation. They have been getting away with supporting terror for decades now. They are being called out now, and taking responsibility for their actions is not something they are accustomed to doing as they are always being defended by weak nations like the US and the UK. 

 

A sorry lot of former sheepherders, posing as world citizens. Without oil the House of Saud is less than zero. 

 

The US and the UK are "weak nations" says poster. That's settled then. Now do tell which nations are the "strong" ones.

[Morch]

2 hours ago, AlexRich said:

 

Just watched the Lawrence O'Donnell US nightly show and he/guests were suggesting that the detailed recording of the torture, etc was Turkish covert bugging of the premises, and he also mentioned the likelihood that the US knew of the threat beforehand. I think the Apple watch is simply a cover story.

 

It could be the more up-to-date version of passport/personal papers being "found" at the scene - which is often another way of referencing information reached in more covert ways.

[Bluespunk]

16 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

Which is pretty much how most governments with firms having big contracts in SA react to such transgressions. The main difference is that usually they are being more diplomatic about it.

Doesn't change my point or how i view trump.

[mauGR1]

8 minutes ago, Morch said:

2 hours ago, AlexRich said:

Just watched the Lawrence O'Donnell US nightly show and he/guests were suggesting that the detailed recording of the torture, etc was Turkish covert bugging of the premises, and he also mentioned the likelihood that the US knew of the threat beforehand. I think the Apple watch is simply a cover story.

 

It could be the more up-to-date version of passport/personal papers being "found" at the scene - which is often another way of referencing information reached in more covert ways.

Even before mentioning the Apple watch, anonymous Turkish official were claiming to have audio and video recordings, in fact admitting that there were bugs in the embassy.

Besides being shocked by the murder/disappearance of Mr. Kashoggi, i am shocked by the lack of "professionalism" displayed by all the players here, including the killer squad.

[mikebike]

55 minutes ago, Morch said:

 

As far as I recall, despite some tough posturing from posters, the Canadian government sorta scrambled to try and patch relationship ASAP.

Canada has not withdrawn their statement nor condemnation.

 

SA students and doctors are still in Canada with no mandate to leave atm...

 

Who is trying to patch what again?

[AlexRich]

48 minutes ago, mauGR1 said:

Even before mentioning the Apple watch, anonymous Turkish official were claiming to have audio and video recordings, in fact admitting that there were bugs in the embassy.

Besides being shocked by the murder/disappearance of Mr. Kashoggi, i am shocked by the lack of "professionalism" displayed by all the players here, including the killer squad.

I’m not an advocate of assassinations but I’m also shocked at how unprofessional they are ... it’s like Bin Salman acts emotionally rather than thinking it through before acting. Disappearing someone at an embassy is impossible to deny ... there are no alternative explanations.

[Morch]

8 minutes ago, mikebike said:

Canada has not withdrawn their statement nor condemnation.

 

SA students and doctors are still in Canada with no mandate to leave atm...

 

Who is trying to patch what again?

 

Canada to ask allies to help cool Saudi dispute; U.S. offers no aid

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-canada-diplomacy/canada-to-ask-allies-to-help-cool-saudi-dispute-u-s-offers-no-aid-idUSKBN1KS23G

 

Canada seeks help from allies to end tension with Saudi Arabia

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180811-canada-seeks-help-from-allies-to-end-tension-with-saudi-arabia/

 

Canada Extends Olive Branch to Saudi Arabia After Diplomatic Blowout

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-20/canada-said-to-push-for-un-meeting-with-saudis-after-rights-spat

 

And, on top of that....

 

Canada still selling armoured vehicles to Saudis despite ‘concern’ of missing journalist: Trudeau

https://globalnews.ca/news/4541383/justin-trudeau-armoured-vehicles-saudi-arabia-missing-journalist/

 

 

 

 

[mauGR1]

2 minutes ago, AlexRich said:

I’m not an advocate of assassinations but I’m also shocked at how unprofessional they are ... it’s like Bin Salman acts emotionally rather than thinking it through before acting. Disappearing someone at an embassy is impossible to deny ... there are no alternative explanations.

the only explanation i can find for such unprofessional conduct, is that they were somehow in a hurry to do the job.

..or some SA leaders losing the plot.

[cookieqw]

i wish they would just put the evidence out there for all to see - on facebook would be good all around the world in under 2 hours.

[mauGR1]

2 hours ago, cookieqw said:

i wish they would just put the evidence out there for all to see - on facebook would be good all around the world in under 2 hours.

I think Turkey cannot risk to alienate itself from powerful countries, on recent news, "Turkey asking UK to cooperate in the investigations"

 

[pegman]

5 hours ago, Morch said:

 

As far as I recall, despite some tough posturing from posters, the Canadian government sorta scrambled to try and patch relationship ASAP.

Wrong, we stood alone and didn't back down. A couple of the usual suspect Canadian conservative posters turned jelly fish but that's to be expected.

[pegman]

4 hours ago, Morch said:

 

Canada to ask allies to help cool Saudi dispute; U.S. offers no aid

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-saudi-canada-diplomacy/canada-to-ask-allies-to-help-cool-saudi-dispute-u-s-offers-no-aid-idUSKBN1KS23G

 

Canada seeks help from allies to end tension with Saudi Arabia

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180811-canada-seeks-help-from-allies-to-end-tension-with-saudi-arabia/

 

Canada Extends Olive Branch to Saudi Arabia After Diplomatic Blowout

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-09-20/canada-said-to-push-for-un-meeting-with-saudis-after-rights-spat

 

And, on top of that....

 

Canada still selling armoured vehicles to Saudis despite ‘concern’ of missing journalist: Trudeau

https://globalnews.ca/news/4541383/justin-trudeau-armoured-vehicles-saudi-arabia-missing-journalist/

 

 

 

 

Yes, Canada did try to get the Western Powers to grow a pair and take a position against the Saudi's despicable actions but failed. Good on Canada and bad on the others as shown by what just happened in Turkey.

 

https://www.france24.com/en/20180808-trudeau-does-not-back-down-rights-defense-saudi-spat

[pegman]

5 hours ago, Morch said:

 

The US and the UK are "weak nations" says poster. That's settled then. Now do tell which nations are the "strong" ones.

Obviously if your talking strong moral backbone it's been demonstrated that it's Canada under Young Justin Trudeau.

[onlycw]

They can forget that search. But they might discover lots of H2 O2 and bleach... 

 

Before oil was discovered, who were these Saudis? Wahabbism and all, some extremist form of Islam... People don't change. Certainly, money doesn't make anyone a better person!