Breaking : Saudi Arabia Says Jamal Khashoggi Was Killed in Consulate Fight

Saudi Arabia confirms Jamal Khashoggi was killed at embassy

For the first time, Saudi Arabian state television said Friday that journalist Jamal Khashoggi is dead. Saudi state television reported that an investigation found that a fight broke out at the embassy between Khashoggi and people who met him at the consulate.

The Saudi public prosecutor said 18 people have been arrested. The investigation is ongoing.

#STATEMENT | On the case of the disappearance of the Saudi citizen Jamal bin Ahmed Khashoggi pic.twitter.com/RmgOwtYdNW

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) ١٩ أكتوبر ٢٠١٨

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman has dismissed his closest adviser Saud al-Qahtani, two sources told CBS News’ Kylie Atwood. “You don’t get much closer” to bin Salman, one source told Atwood.

Intelligence chief Ahmed al-Assiri is also out, sources said. CBS News reported earlier Friday that Saudi officials were considering blaming al-Assiri

Khashoggi, who was U.S.-based and wrote for The Washington Post, disappeared on Oct. 2 after going into the Saudi embassy in Istanbul. Turkish officials have said, anonymously, that Khashoggi was murdered in the consulate, by a 15-man team.

It’s unclear what the U.S. response will be. President Trump has promised “severe punishment” if the reports of Khashoggi’s death were true, but also openly cautioned against actions that would risk U.S. business interests, including billions in arms sales. U.S. lawmakers, including Republican Senator Lindsay Graham have warned of tough action.

Khashoggi’s last column was published Wednesday by The Washington Post.