Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — The Saudi state-run news agency quotes prosecutors as saying that Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Khashoggi hadn’t been seen since entering the consulate nearly three weeks ago. The Saudi public prosecutor said that an argument between Khashoggi and a number of individuals at the consulate led to a fight.
Those named in the report include several top Saudi intelligence officials, and one person named as a Royal Court advisor.
The Saudi Press Agency tweeted that the following top officials were relieved of their positions:
- Ahmad bin Hassan Assiri – deputy chief of General Intelligence agency
- Mohammed bin Saleh Al-Rumeh – deputy director of General Intelligence for intelligence matters
- Abdullah bin Khalif Al-Shaya – deputy head of General Intelligence for human resources
- Maj. Gen. Rashad bin Hamed al-Mahmadi – head of the General Directorate for Security and Protection in the General Intelligence agency
- Saud bin Abdullah Al-Kahtani – advisor to the royal court
Eighteen people have been detained in connection with the case.
The White House released a statement on Friday acknowledging the Saudi announcement.
Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, however, voiced his skepticism on Twitter.
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