American actor Sean Penn was in Istanbul last Wednesday (December 5) to film a documentary about the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in the kingdom’s consulate, Turkish media reported. 

Khashoggi, a US resident since 2017, was killed during his visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain marriage-related paperwork on October 2. 

Penn was seen directing a shooting on the day outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where Khashoggi was killed and dismembered on October 2, as well as at the residence of the Saudi consul general, Turkey’s state-run Anadolu Agency and Hurriyet Daily News reported.

A pro-government daily also said the actor wanted to meet Khashoggi’s Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, during his visit. 

Since Khashoggi was critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, there has been speculation the de facto leader of the kingdom ordered the hit. 

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused members of Saudi Arabia’s government of ordering the killing of Saudi insider-turned-critic Khashoggi, coming close to directly implicating the kingdom’s de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. After a briefing with CIA Director Gina Haspel this week, a group of bipartisan US senators said they were convinced the prince played a role in the murder, a mood that could trigger sanctions against the kingdom.

The documentary by Penn, whose activism has covered peace in the Middle East to the fight against drug cartels and countering global warming, could increase public awareness as Congress raises pressure on the Trump administration to respond.

The remains of the 59-year-old have not yet been found since his disappearance more than 2 months ago despite searches of the consulate and other places. 

Turkey says it is determined to shed light on the killing, which has damaged the leadership of its top rival for regional influence.