JOURNALIST KILLED | Italian prime minister awaiting 'credible answers'

ISTANBUL (AP) — The latest on the fallout from the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul (all times EST):

12 p.m.

Italy’s prime minister says he is awaiting “credible answers” about the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Premier Giuseppe Conte told foreign reporters in Rome on Monday that Italy takes the case very seriously, “but we would like to have all the elements before evaluating them with our international partners.”

Saudi Arabia finally acknowledged the writer’s death early Saturday in what it described as a “fistfight” at its consulate in Istanbul. The German government said Riyadh’s explanation of Khashoggi’s death is insufficient and called for a common European position on the matter.

Asked whether Italy was satisfied with the Saudi explanation, Conte said: “We are still waiting for credible answers to be provided because this is a really worrisome case. ... This case cannot be closed without satisfying answers.”

10:30 a.m.

Turkish crime—scene investigators have arrived at an underground car park in Istanbul where authorities earlier found a vehicle belonging to the Saudi Consulate.

A large police van arrived at the car park in Istanbul’s Sultangazi district on Monday. News reports say the car was left there two weeks ago.

Investigators looking into the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had last week searched other consulate vehicles, along with the consulate building and the consul general’s residence.

Saudi Arabia said Saturday that Khashoggi was killed in a “fistfight” inside the consulate. Turkish media and officials say the 59—year—old Washington Post columnist was attacked by a 15—man Saudi team that cut off his fingers and decapitated him.

His remains have not yet been found.

10:15 a.m.

Turkey’s state—run news agency says authorities have found a vehicle belonging to the Saudi Consulate at an underground car park in Istanbul.

Anadolu Agency says Monday the vehicle with diplomatic license plates was discovered at the car park in Istanbul’s Sultangazi neighborhood, some 15 kilometers (9 miles) away from the consulate building, where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed.

The agency says authorities need to obtain permission from the consulate as well as the Istanbul chief prosecutor’s office before searching the vehicle. Other Consulate vehicles were searched last week, along with the consulate building and the consul general’s residence.

Police sealed the entrance to the car park, the agency reported.

Saudi Arabia acknowledged Khashoggi’s death on Saturday, saying he was killed in a “fistfight” inside the consulate. Turkish media and officials say the 59—year—old Washington Post columnist was attacked by a 15—man Saudi team that cut off his fingers and decapitated him.

9:20 a.m.

A senior Turkish official says surveillance footage showing a man wearing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s clothes leaving the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul indicates that his death was a pre—planned killing and that efforts were made to cover it up.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Omer Celik, spokesman for Turkey’s ruling party, denied as “immoral” suggestions that Turkey was delaying announcing the findings of its investigation into Khashoggi’s death because it was engaged in an alleged “bargaining” process with Saudi Arabia.

Celik said: “We are faced with a situation in which it was a brutally planned (killing) and efforts were made to cover it up.”

The official said Turkey was leading a careful investigation to ensure that “nobody is falsely accused” and that the incident is not covered up.

“God willing the results will be brought into the open, those responsible will be punished and no one will dare think of carrying out such a thing again.”

Saudi authorities said last weekend that Khashoggi was killed in a “fistfight” with Saudi officials at the consulate on Oct. 2, after initially insisting they knew nothing of his whereabouts.