Turkey launches investigation into disappearance of Saudi journalist

Jamal Khashoggi, critic of Saudi Arabia's crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, has not been seen since Tuesday, when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish officials have said they believe Mr. Khashoggi is still inside.

Prince bin Salman told Bloomberg Nea that Turkish authorities were welcome to check the building.

Turkish media said prosecutors are now looking closely at the issue, even though the actions were ongoing in the investigation launched Tuesday.

Reuters quoted Turkey's ruling party as saying the investigation would be sweeping and that the government's sensitivity to the case was in the top “level”.

The AK party said Mr. Khahoggi's whereabouts would be discovered.

The head of the Turko-Arab Media Association told the New York Times earlier that Turkish consulate security officers had checked their own security cameras and had not seen the journalist leave on foot. But Turan Kislakci added that the diplomatic vehicle was seen moving in and out.

On Wednesday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Saudi Arabia's ambassador and requested an explanation for the disappearance.

BBC's Mark Lowen says the mystery threatens to deepen tensions in relations between Turkey and Saudi Arabia.

Turkey has sided with Qatar for its blockade from Saudi Arabia and other neighbours, and Turkey's approach to Iran has disturbed the government in Riyadh, the BBC correspondent adds.