One of the suspects involved in the disappearance of Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi has died in a ‘suspicious car accident.’

Reports say that Mashal Saad al-Bostini, a 31-year-old lieutenant of the Saudi Royal Air Forces, was among 15 suspects who flew to Turkey in a private jet and headed to the Saudi consulate.

It is claimed that critical journalist Mr Khashoggi was murdered and dismembered inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey.

Mashal Saad al-Bostani is reported to have died in a car crash in Saudi Arabia days after returning from Turkey

His alleged interrogation, torture and murder were captured on a smartwatch.

Saudi officials have denied any involvement in Mr Khashoggi’s disappearance last week, saying he left the consulate shortly after entering, but have failed to provide any proof.

Others have claimed he was killed as part of a crackdown orchestrated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to silence his critics.

Al-Bostini was said to be among the hit-squad that took part in the murder before returning back to Riyadh.

Yesterday Turkish newspaper Yeni Şafak said he had died in a car accident in the Saudi Arabian capital.

Sources close to the investigation did not release any details about the accident while his role in Mr Khashoggi’s ‘murder’ remain unclear.

Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi is believed to have been tortured and murdered inside the Saudi Arabian consulate in Turkey (Picture: AP)

The Saudi consul, Mohammad al-Otaibi, was heard on the audio of the journalist’s alleged death telling interrogators to ‘do it somewhere else outside or I will be in trouble.’

The tapes go on to hear men telling him to shut up ‘if you want to live when you are back in Saudi Arabia.’

Newspaper Daily Hürriyet have claimed that al-Otaibi could be the ‘next execution’ as Crown Prince bin Salman ‘would do anything to get rid of evidence.’

Al-Otaibi returned to Saudi Arabia before Turkish police searched his residence.

Officials believe Mr Khashoggi, 60, was lured to the consulate where his fingers were cut off and he was beheaded.

A frame grab from a police CCTV video, made available through Turkish Newspaper Sabah, allegedly shows Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi (R) entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul (Picture: EPA)

There has been no sign of him since he walked into the building in Istanbul.

His body hasn’t yet been found and today Turkish police began to search forests and farmlands. There are also reports he could have been dissolved in acid.

The case has strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the west.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox became the latest figures to pull out of a major investment conference in Riyadh next week.

The relationship between the US and Saudi Arabia is particularly delicate.

The case is particularly sensitive for Donald Trump, who has been trying to build closer ties with Saudi Arabia (Picture: Reuters)

President Donald Trump has claimed that he has spoken to Crown Prince bin Salman who assured him a ‘full investigation’ into the disappearance of the journalist is underway.

At the prompting of his son in law and advisor Jared Kushner, his administration has made good relations with Mohammed – portrayed as a Saudi modernizer – a priority.

Saudi Arabia is one of the closest US partners in a bid to undermine Iran and also a massive client of the US weapons industry.

Mr Khashoggi was living in the United States for the past year and writing for the Washington Post.

The Saudi-born writer fled the kingdom over fears that he would be arrested as the crown prince cracked down on voices critical of his government.

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