Saudis Preparing To Admit Khashoggi Died During Interrogation

Local Editor

Saudi Arabia is preparing a report that will acknowledge that Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi's death was the result of an interrogation that went wrong, one that was intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey.

One source said the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible.

The report is still being prepared and cautioned that things could change, a source acknowledged.

Relatively, the Washington Post columnist was last seen in public when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey on October 2. Previously, Saudi authorities had maintained Khashoggi left the consulate the same afternoon of his visit, but provided no evidence to support the claim.

The disappearance created a diplomatic rift between Saudi Arabia and the West. Amid the fallout, international firms pulled out of a high-profile investment summit, the Future Investment Initiative conference, due to take place later this month in Riyadh.

The case also caused friction between Saudi Arabia and Turkey, which repeatedly accused the Saudis of failing to cooperate with their investigation.

Earlier Monday, US President Donald Trump suggested that "rogue killers" could be behind Khashoggi's disappearance, after a phone call with Saudi King Salman about the case. Trump said King Salman told him "in a very firm way that they had no knowledge of it."

Later Monday, Trump said he had seen the latest media reports. But he said he did not know if the report is accurate or just "rumor."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team