Saudi royals call slain journalist’s son to offer their condolences

SAUDI Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman called the son of Jamal Khashoggi, the kingdom announced yesterday, to express condolences for the death of the journalist killed at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul by officials that allegedly included a member of the royal’s entourage.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud similarly made a condolence call as international pressure on the kingdom continued to rise, even after it acknowledged on Saturday that The Washington Post journalist was killed on October 2 at the consulate under still-disputed circumstances.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that details of Khashoggi’s killing “will be revealed in all its nakedness” in a speech in Parliament today, the same day as a glitzy investment forum in Riyadh spearheaded by the prince is to take place.

The Saudi explanation that Khashoggi was killed in a “fistfight” and 18 Saudis have been detained has been met with international scepticism and allegations of a cover-up designed to absolve Mohammed of direct responsibility. Turkish media reports and officials say a 15-member Saudi team flew to Istanbul, laid in wait for Khashoggi at the consulate and then cut off his fingers, killed and dismembered the 59-year-old writer.

“Why did these 15 people come here? Why were 18 people arrested? All of this needs to be explained in all its details,” Erdogan said.

The state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the calls to Khashoggi’s son, Salah, early yesterday morning. Statements from the agency said King Salman and Prince Mohammed had expressed their condolences for his father’s death.

A Saudi friend of Khashoggi, who was in frequent touch with him before his death, said Salah had been under a travel ban and barred from leaving the kingdom since last year as a result of his father’s criticism of the government. The friend spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of repercussion.