Turkish security sources say that when Khashoggi entered the consulate, he was seized by 15 Saudi intelligence operatives who had flown in on two jets just hours before.

Saudi Arabia’s top diplomat said Saturday that the global outcry on the killing of a Saudi journalist earlier this month has become “hysterical” as he urged the public to wait for the results of an investigation before blaming to the kingdom’s top leadership.

Salah Khashoggi, who holds dual U.S.-Saudi citizenship and had thus far been under a travel ban, departed Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

The sons — Salah and Sahel — met Prince Mohammed bin Salman and King Salman at Yamama Palace in Riyadh.