Saudi Arabia Confirms Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Killed in Consulate

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Saudi Arabia has confirmed that journalist Jamal Khashoggi, whose whereabouts has not been known since October 2, when he was last seen while entering the Consulate General in İstanbul, has been killed.

In a statement released by the official news agency of the Saudi government, it has been indicated that Khashoggi lost his life as a result of a commotion that took place inside the consulate.

As reported by the SPA, the official news agency of Saudi Arabia, according to the results of the investigation conducted by the Saudi Arabia Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Khashoggi "started to argue with other citizens of Saudi Arabia in the Consulate General in İstanbul, the argument turned into a row and Khashoggi lost his life as a result of this commotion."

The Chief Public Prosecutor of Saudi Arabia has stated that a dispute began between Khashoggi and the people that he met in the consulate and Khashoggi lost his life as a result of a punch that he received.

18 people taken into custody

The Chief Public Prosecutor has also said that the investigation regarding the incident has still been proceeding and 18 citizens of Saudi Arabia have been taken into custody as part of the investigation.

In the statement published on the website of the SPA, it has been stated that "the Kingdom has been expressing his sorrow for the incident". The names of the detained have not been shared with the public.

Saudi Arabia Royal Court Adviser Suud al-Kahtani and Vice Intelligence Chief Ahmet Asiri have also been relieved of their duties.

What happened?

The whereabouts of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who has been a columnist at Washington Post newspaper and a citizen of Saudi Arabia, has not been known since October 2, 2018 at 1 a.m., when he was last seen while entering the Consulate General of Saudi Arabia in İstanbul.

Reuters news agency and journalists from Turkey as well as the Chair of Turkish-Arabic Media Association Turan Kışlakçı claimed that Khashoggi was killed and his body was taken out of the consulate.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hami Aksoy announced that the officials in the General Consulate of Saudi Arabia accepted the request of Turkey to make an investigation at the consulate.

The İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also assigned a deputy chief prosecutor and a chief public prosecutor to conduct the judicial processes in the investigation that has been launched by Turkey after the journalist, who has allegedly been killed, was reported to be missing. (HA/SD)