Saudis: Writer died in consulate

Kingdom admits death, might charge adviser

Jamal Khashoggi died during a fight inside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Saudi authorities confirmed late Friday. The announcement, made on state TV and also released via the official Saudi Press Agency, comes more than two weeks after the missing journalist disappeared after entering the diplomatic compound in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested in connection with the case. None were identified. It is the first time the kingdom has admitted Khashoggi is dead. The prosecutor said he died in a fight.

Khashoggi was last seen entering Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic compound Oct. 2.

Search teams probing Khashoggi’s disappearance started scouring Belgrade Forest for his remains Friday because they believe several vehicles owned by the consulate drove to the area the day Khashoggi vanished, according to Yeni Safak, a pro-government newspaper.

It is the first time investigators have begun looking outside Istanbul for evidence of Khashoggi’s remains. For the last two weeks, the focus has been on the consulate and Saudi consul’s general residence.

The apparent development comes as President Donald Trump has seemed to shift his thinking on the case. Asked late Thursday if he thought the Saudi dissident was dead, the president said it “certainly looks that way to me” and vowed “very severe” consequences for Saudi Arabia if it is proved to be behind Khashoggi’s murder.

Trump said he wants to wait for Saudi Arabia and Turkey to conclude their investigations before deciding on what action to take.

The New York Times reported late Thursday that the Saudis may be preparing to blame Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri, an adviser to the crown prince, for Khashoggi’s killing. The paper said the monarchy may claim that the general was given the go-ahead from the crown prince to detain Khashoggi, but that he overstepped his authorization.