Jamal Khashoggi died during a “fistfight” inside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Saudi authorities claimed 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 as a result of a "fistfight," a characterization that brought immediate condemnation from U.S. lawmakers.
Sen. Richard Blumenthal, R-Conn., said the explanation given by the Saudis noting a "fistfight" led to Khashoggi’s death "absolutely defies credibility."
"The world deserves an explanation, and not from the Saudis," he said in a CNN appearance, adding for too long they’d been "given a pass" for "killing innocent civilians."
Earlier Friday, Turkish crime-scene investigators expanded their search for Khashoggi's remains to a forest on the outskirts of Istanbul, Turkish media reported. His body found has not been found. Turkish security officials say they have audio and video evidence indicating he was likely dismembered inside the consulate.
The development comes as President Donald Trump shifted 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.
It's an about-face that follows heavy criticism of Trump for appearing in recent days to prioritize the U.S. security relationship with the Middle Eastern country over what Turkish reports indicate may be an extrajudicial execution carried out by members of an assassination squad with ties to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Trump said he wants to wait for Saudi Arabia and Turkey to conclude their investigations before deciding on what action to take.
Amid rising international condemnation over the affair, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has urged patience. After returning Wednesday from an answers-seeking trip to Riyadh and Ankara, he said the Saudis should be given "a few more days" to complete their investigation. Pompeo also denied claims that while on his trip he heard Turkey's audio evidence of Khashoggi's alleged torture and murder inside the consulate. His assertion was backed up by Turkey's foreign minister Friday, who said no evidence was shared.
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 for an interrogation in Saudi Arabia, but that he either misunderstood the instructions or overstepped his authorization and killed Khashoggi.
Saudi experts, dissidents, U.S. congressional figures and leading human rights organizations say this would amount to scapegoating. “U.N. involvement is the best guarantee against a Saudi whitewash or attempts by other governments to sweep the issue under the carpet to preserve lucrative business ties with Riyadh,” said Robert Mahoney, deputy executive director of the Committee to Protect Journalists.
The ongoing revelations have led to speculation that there could be a shake-up in the Saudi royal family or a reassessment of MBS's powers.
More: Who is Jamal Khashoggi? Royal court confidant and prominent Saudi journalist turned reluctant dissident
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More: ‘A few more days’: Secretary of State Pompeo urges patience over missing journalist
Contributing: David Jackson
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