Saudi State TV Confirms Journalist Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed

Top intelligence official sacked, 18 reported arrested

Saudi Arabia seems to have decided on a Friday evening confession on the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their Istanbul consulate. The information is slowly trickling out, and likely the intention is to give pro-Saudi factions the weekend to manage it.

Saudi state media is reporting that the official investigation determined that Khashoggi “got in a fight” with the people who met him at the consulate, which of course was a 15-man hit team sent specifically to Turkey to kill Khashoggi.

Officials seem to be trying to shift blame away from the crown prince, and toward one of his top aides, intelligence official Gen. Ahmed al-Asiri. Asiri and royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani and several others have reportedly been “dismissed” following the investigation, and the Saudis are also claiming 18 others arrested over it.

Ironically, Saudi King Salman is also increasing the authority of the crown prince following this incident, announcing that after the sacking of Asiri he is ordering a new ministerial committee, headed by the prince, to “restructure” the intelligence agency.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.