Amid growing international backlash over disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, CNN is reporting that Riyadh is preparing a report that would admit the death of the Saudi journalist died during interrogation that went wrong.
In its report, the cable news network cited two unnamed sources while reporting the development over the case of missing journalist.
Khashoggi’s mysterious disappearance from Saudi Consulate in Istanbul and Turkish allegation that he had been killed has roiled the Saudi Kingdom in international firestorm of criticism.
The report says Riyadh will say Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi regime who also wrote for The Washington Post, died during an interrogation that was “intended to lead to his abduction from Turkey,”
“One source says the report will likely conclude that the operation was carried out without clearance and transparency and that those involved will be held responsible,” the channel reported.
However, there has been no official confirmation of the development about Saudi Arabia readying for admission.
Meanwhile, President Trump has dispatched Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to Saudi Arabia to look into the issue. Trump also reported on Monday that during a telephonic conversation, Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz flatly denied any involvement.
Khashoggi entered the Saudi diplomatic mission in Istanbul on October 2 to obtain legal clearance for him to marry his Turkish fiancée but never came out of the Consulate.
In Europe, British, French and German foreign ministers issued a joint statement expressing serious concern over the fate of Khashoggi from the diplomatic facility.
The issue has emerged as a huge challenge for Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who has vowed to reform the conservative country.
Meanwhile, a number of American companies have pulled out of an upcoming event dubbed as “Davos in desert” to showcase Saudi Arabia as a potential country for investors. The Saudi stock exchange has also shed several points in the face of the crisis that has hit the country at a time when Saudi Arabia eyes diversifying its economy.
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