Saudi admits critic Jamal killed in ‘ brawl’ at Istanbul consulate

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Riyadh, Oct. 20: Saudi Arabia admitted on Saturday that prominent critic Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its Istanbul consulate, saying he died during a “brawl”, an explanation that President Donald Trump called credible but drew scepticism from top US lawmakers.

Riyadh announced the arrest of 18 Saudis in connection with their investigation and the sacking of two top aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who has faced mounting international pressure over the journalist’s disappearance.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post contributor and critic of the Islamic petro- state’s powerful crown prince, was last seen on October 2 entering his country’s consulate in Istanbul.

The admission — after persistent claims by the Saudi authorities that Khashoggi had left the consulate alive — came amid the threat of US sanctions and appears to be aimed at distancing Prince Mohammed from the affair.

Saudi attorney- general Sheikh Saud al- Mojeb said Khashoggi died after talks at the consulate degenerated into an altercation. He did not disclose the whereabouts of the journalist’s body.

Saudi officials have denied that Prince Mohammed, a US administration favourite widely known as MBS, had any involvement US President Donald Trump swiftly endorsed Saudi Arabia’s explanation. “I do, I do,” he said when asked if the Saudis’ explanation was credible

Washington, Oct. 20: US President Donald Trump said on Saturday he found Saudi Arabia’s explanation about the death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi credible and termed it an “important first step.”

Trump added if the US takes action, he does not want it to impact arms sales to the kingdom, which said Khashoggi was killed in a fight at its Istanbul consulate. Turkish officials pointed to a state- sanctioned hit.

“I do, I do,” Trump said when asked if he found the Saudis’ explanation credible, adding: “It’s early, we haven’t finished our review or investigation, but... I think it’s a very important first step.”” I would prefer, if there is going to be some form of sanction or what we may determine to do, if anything... that we don’t use as retribution canceling $ 110 billion worth of work, which means 600,000 jobs,” he said, referring to a major arms deal with the kingdom. Trump has sent mixed messages about Khashoggi for days, vowing a severe response but also saying that the United States wants to preserve its close relationship with the conservative kingdom.

Members of the US Congress were far harsher in the wake of the kingdom’s admission that Khashoggi was dead.

Republican Senator Bob Corker, Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, said he doubted the credibility of the Saudi authorities, who insisted for weeks that he left the consulate.

UN chief Antonio Guterres demanded that those responsible for Khashoggi’s death be held to account.