Saudi admits missing journalist was killed in Istanbul consulate as Trump considers sanctions

Saudi authorities have now admitted that missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul.

A statement revealed that he died in a brawl which broke out inside the building shortly after he entered but made no mention of where his body is.

Saudi Attorney-General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said Khashoggi died after “discussions” at the consulate devolved into an altercation.

“Discussions that took place between him and the persons who met him … at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul led to a brawl and a fist fight with the citizen, Jamal Khashoggi, which led to his death, may his soul rest in peace,” the attorney-general said in a statement.

“The investigations are still under way and 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested.”

Read also: MIGRANT INFLUX: Trump threatens to deploy military, shut border

Reacting to the latest development, US President Donald Trump said sanctions against Saudi Arabia “could be” something he would consider but “it’s too early to say” how the US will respond for now.

“It’s early, we haven’t finished our review or investigation, but … I think it’s a very important first step,” he said.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post who wrote critically of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s (MBS) rise to power, went missing on October 2 after entering the consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents needed for his upcoming marriage.

 

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