Jamal Khashoggi death: World responds to Saudi Arabia’s admission journalist was killed inside Istanbul consulate

Trump says arrests in Saudi writer's death 'big step'

The UK, France and Germany have demanded "credible facts" from Saudi Arabia after the kingdom admitted dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed inside its Istanbul consulate.

Riyadh has claimed the Washington Post reporter died in a “brawl” at the building, a version of events that has been widely disputed.

Saudi authorities are facing increasing international pressure to explain what happened after Khashoggi entered the consulate on 2 October, with US politicians calling for the kingdom to face sanctions and directly accusing Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman of ordering his murder.

Here's how we covered events as they unfolded:

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Turkish authorities investigating Khashoggi’s death suspect the journalist was tortured and then murdered by a team of hit men before his body was cut up and disposed of.

An anonymous Saudi official has claimed Riyadh was trying to convince Khashoggi to return to his homeland by offering him a lucrative job as incentive to stop his criticism of the regime.

He then suggested the situation escalated into a fight, which ended in the reporter’s death.

However, this account has been disputed, with questions raised over why a doctor reported to be an expert in forensic medicine was among the 15 men thought to have confronted Khashoggi.

Donald Trump, who initially said he believed the Saudi account, has now said the US wants to get to the bottom of what took place inside the consulate.

In Europe, German chancellor Angela Merkel has described the Saudi explanation of Khashoggi’s death as “inadequate”, while her foreign minister has said Berlin will reassess its arms sales to the kingdom.

Britain said on Saturday it was examining its “next steps” after Riyadh announced confirmation of the journalist’s death.

Key Points

• Britain, France and Germany demand 'credible facts' from Saudis
• Saudi officials do not know where journalist's body is, says foreign minister
• Germany to halt arms exports to kingdom
• Brexit secretary Raab says UK won't sever ties with kingdom over killing
• Republican senators accused Crown Prince Salman of ordering Khashoggi's murder
• US treasury secretary claims discussion of sanctions 'premature'

[21 October 2018 22:38 · Chris Baynes]

Turkish authorities have put Jamal Khashoggi's fiancee under 24-hour police protection, the country's state-run Anadolu news agency has reported.

Hatice Cengiz was the last person to see Khashoggi alive outside of the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, which he entered on 2 October to obtain documents for their upcoming marriage.

The Istanbul governor’s office has put Cengiz, a Turkish national, under police protection.

Authorities have not said what prompted the decision to give her a security.

[22 October 2018 00:09 · Chris Baynes]

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