Journalist Jamal Khashoggi died inside Istanbul consulate after ‘fight’, admits Saudi Arabia

After weeks of vehement denials, Saudi Arabia on Saturday finally admitted that journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its consulate in Istanbul after a ‘fight’.

Facing one of the worst international crisis over the Khashoggi incident, the Kingdom also sacked intelligence chief Ahmad al-Assiri and royal court media advisor Saud al-Qahtani, both top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The move to admit the killing of Khashoggi and sack two top aides of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman came in wake of immense pressure from the West and US President Donald Trump’s warning of sanctions.

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“Preliminary investigations... revealed that the discussions that took place between him and the persons who met him... at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul led to a brawl and a fist fight with the citizen, Jamal Khashoggi, which led to his death, may his soul rest in peace,” Saudi Attorney General Sheikh Saud al-Mojeb said, without disclosing any details on the whereabouts of his body.