State Department disputes report that Pompeo heard alleged recording of Saudi journalist being murdered

DCNFChuck Ross, DCNF

(Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The Department of State is disputing a report that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo listened to an alleged audio recording during a trip to Turkey on Wednesday of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi being murdered at the Saudi consulate earlier in October.

“Secretary Pompeo has neither heard a tape nor has he seen a transcript related to Jamal Khashoggi’s disappearance,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement.

ABC News reported earlier Thursday that a senior Turkish government official said Pompeo heard the audio recording and was provided a transcript during meetings in Turkey on Wednesday.

Turkish media outlets, which are largely controlled by the government, have reported since soon after Khashoggi’s disappearance on Oct. 2 that audio and video exists indicating that Khashoggi was tortured and killed at the consulate.

A member of the Organization ‘Justice for Jamal Khashoggi’ holds a picture of Khashoggi as she and other members hold news conference for disappearance of Saudi journalist in front of The Washington Post headquarters in Washington D.C. with the attendance of Congressman Gerry Connolly and figures from CAIR and Pen America spoke, (Photo by Umar Farooq/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor, visited the consulate to obtain paperwork to get married.

According to various anonymous Turkish government officials, Khashoggi was cut up into pieces after his death. The U.S., however, has not yet confirmed his death.

While U.S. government officials, including President Donald Trump, have said they believe something happened to Khashoggi, the events leading up to his potential death remain unclear. News reports from the Turkish press have also come under scrutiny because of the outlets’ close ties to the Turkish government.

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