Iran Press/Middle East: Police are investigating the deaths of two sisters from Saudi Arabia, Tala Farea 16 and Rotana Farea 22, whose bodies were discovered on a bank of the Hudson river on the west side of Manhattan bound together with tape, on October 24. Even though their bodies were found washed up on Hudson riverbank, the two sisters lived in Fairfax, Virginia, about 370 Kilometers away.
The two sisters were from Saudi Arabia living in Virginia, and at least one of them was reported missing two months ago, Reuters reported.
Related news:
Mohammed bin Salman tries to absolve himself of Khashoggi murder
Their mother told detectives that the day before the bodies were discovered, she received a call from an official at the Saudi Arabian Embassy ordering the family to leave the U.S.
Related news:
Khashoggi’s body parts found in garden of Saudi consul general’s home in Istanbul
No cause of death has been released, days after the bodies were found fully clothed and facing one another.
The sisters were students “accompanying their brother in Washington,” according to a statement by Saudi Arabia’s consulate general in New York.
Related news:
Live Coverage/Erdogan reveals the "naked truth" about Khashoggi's killing
The statement added that the consulate had “appointed an attorney to follow the case closely” and “extended its support and aid in this trying time.”
The case could pressure Saudi Arabia even further in the aftermath of the killing of Saudi dissident and Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Saudi Arabia has acknowledged the murder, yet left many questions unanswered.
Turkish intelligence intercepts reportedly show that Khashoggi, who was last seen entering the Saudi mission in Istanbul on October 2, was tortured and murdered on a direct order from Saudi de facto ruler Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.
Khashoggi went to the consulate to obtain a document certifying he divorced his first wife.
Related news:
Commentary: Jamal Khashoggi's disappearance; Is it state terrorism by Saudis?
On October 23, Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said in parliament that Khashoggi was lured to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul based on a carefully planned operation, and was killed there.
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain a document certifying he divorced his first wife so he could remarry. He has not been seen since.
Read more:
Who orders Khashoggi's killing? Erdogan asks Saudis
Mohammed bin Salman tries to absolve himself of Khashoggi murder
Saudi crown prince breaks silence over Khashoggi case
209/103
