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Erdogan demands Saudis reveal location of Khashoggi’s body (Lead)
Ankara, Oct 26 (IANS) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday called on Saudi Arabia to reveal the location of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s body and hand over the suspects involved in his killing.
Erdogan’s comments came after the Turkish media reported that the country’s police found no DNA traces of the Washington Post columnist in water samples taken from a well at the residence of the Saudi Arabian consul in Istanbul.
The leader said that the top Saudi prosecutor will travel to Turkey on Sunday to meet the top Istanbul prosecutor and argued that those responsible for killing him should face trial in Turkey, CNN reported.
After Saudi Arabia admitted that the supporter-turned-critic of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman was killed on October 2 in its Istanbul consulate, five high-ranking officials were dismissed, including Bin Salman’s media chief and the deputy head of the Saudi intelligence service. Eighteen people were arrested.
“Whatever happened, it comes down to these 18 persons. If you are determined, if you want to remove the suspicion and clear the air, these 18 persons are the bottom line to this,” Erdogan said, addressing the provincial heads of his ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara.
If the Saudis can’t make the suspects talk, then Turkey will, he said. “The incident took place in Istanbul. So, hand them to us, and let us judge them.”
Erdogan described some of the statements made by the Saudis as the Khashoggi case unfolded as “very funny”.
“These juvenile statements do not match with the seriousness of government affairs… It is obvious that (Khashoggi) is killed. But where? Where is the body?”
After weeks of providing conflicting accounts of what happened to Khashoggi, the kingdom last week said that he was killed “accidentally” in a fist fight at the consulate by “rogue” agents.
But Riyadh maintained that neither the Crown Prince nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi.
US officials have said such a mission — including 15 men sent from Riyadh — could not have been carried out without the authorization of Bin Salman, the country’s de facto ruler.
News of the Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Suood bin Abdullah Al Mo’jab’s planned trip to Turkey came a day after he said that the kingdom now considered Khashoggi’s killing to be “premeditated”, based on information from Turkish investigators.
Meanwhile, CIA chief Gina Haspel briefed US President Donald Trump on Thursday on her findings following her trip to Turkey, where she was dispatched to assess the information the Turks collected in the case.
The Washington Post reported that Haspel listened to the audio purportedly of Khashoggi’s interrogation and murder. The White House confirmed the briefing had taken place but gave no further details.
The Saudi government has faced wide condemnation from western nations over Khashoggi’s killing and its apparent cover-up. Russia, however, has yet to criticize the kingdom.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that there was no reason to doubt what the Saudi royals said about Khashoggi’s death.
Asked if the Kremlin believed the statements, Peskov said: “That is an inappropriate question, there is an official statement from the King and Crown Prince. There is no reason basically not to believe it.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the case with King Salman on Thursday in a phone call held at the initiative of the Saudi side, the Kremlin said.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.