WORLD Saudis admit writer’s death Crown arrests 18 over Khashoggi disappearance

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia has admitted journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside its Istanbul consulate and says it has fired two officials over the incident, which has sparked an international outcry and strained relations with the West.

King Salman ordered the dismissal of Saud al-Qahtani, a royal court adviser seen as the right-hand man to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed Asiri, a statement on state media said.

Khashoggi, a critic of the crown prince, went missing after entering the consulate on October 2 to obtain documents for his upcoming marriage.

Turkish officials said they believed he was killed in the building, an allegation Saudi Arabia had strenuously denied.

In a separate statement, the Saudi public prosecutor said a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people in the consulate, leading to his death.

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

Before the Saudi announcements, US President Donald Trump said he might consider sanctions, but has appeared unwilling to distance himself from the Saudis, citing Riyadh’s role in countering Iranian influence in the Middle East and potential arms deals.

The White House said it would press for “justice that is timely, transparent, and in accordance with all due process”.

But politicians doubt the Saudi explanation.

“To say that I am sceptical of the new Saudi narrative about Mr Khashoggi is an understatement,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said.

Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said the Saudi explanation “absolutely defies credibility” and called for an international investigation of Khashoggi’s death.

Turkish sources say authorities have a recording purportedly documenting Khashoggi’s murder inside the consulate.

Turkey’s Yeni Safak newspaper said the audio revealed Khashoggi’s torturers severed his fingers and later beheaded and dismembered him.

The incident has deepened questions about Prince Mohammed’s leadership.