It is almost three weeks since Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi walked into the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and did not come out. Saudi Arabia which has been accused of killing the political columnist called his death “a mistake” and also accused “certain rogue elements” of carrying out his killing.

But, it is obvious that the Saudi explanation of the events have a lot of contradictions. And Turkey, which has been investigation Khashoggi’s disappearance and murder has now revealed another macabre detail about what occurred on October 2 after Khashoggi was killed.

Law enforcement surveillance footage, part of the Turkish government's investigation, appears to show a man leaving the Saudi consulate by the back door, wearing Khashoggi's clothes, a fake beard, and glasses.

The same man was seen in Khashoggi's clothing, according to the Turkish case, at the city's world-famous Blue Mosque just hours after the journalist was last seen alive entering the consulate on October 2. He then ate at a restaurant, changed his clothes and dumped Khashoggi’s clothes in a dustbin.

The man in the video, identified by the official as Mustafa al-Madani, was allegedly part of what investigators have said was a hit squad, sent to kill the journalist.

In what is increasingly looking like a pre-meditated cover-up, Madani, who is of similar height, age and build to Khashoggi, was used as a decoy for the journalist, according to the Turkish official.

A senior Turkish official told CNN that the video showed that Madani was brought to Istanbul to act as a body double.

"You don't need a body double for a rendition or an interrogation," the official said. "Our assessment has not changed since October 6. This was a premeditated murder and the body was moved out of the consulate."

Turkey has been revealing increasingly incriminating evidence that points to an elaborate Saudi plot to kill Khasoggi.

Turkey’s president has put on a huge-team of investigators on the Khashoggi case. He has also promised to reveal the “naked truth” in the Turkish parliament on October 23, three weeks to the day Jamal Khashoggi was killed.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 23, 2018 07:21 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).