Top Saudi journalist missing after visiting consulate in Istanbul
Ankara, Oct 3: A prominent Saudi journalist known as one of the country's most outspoken critic has gone missing after visiting its consulate in Turkey, raising concerns about his safety.
Jamal Khashoggi, a contributor to the Washington Post, entered the Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday afternoon for a visit relating to filing a divorce before he can remarry, the Guardian reported on Wednesday.
"We don't know if he is being detained, questioned or when he will be released," the Post said.
His Turkish fiancee, who waited outside for him for 12 hours, said he had failed to come out and then she called the police.
She was accompanying him to the consulate but said she was not allowed to go inside with him. Khashoggi was also required to surrender his mobile phone.
Another close friend also said the 59-year-old journalist had not left the consulate, a claim disputed by a Saudi official. It was not known if Khashoggi was able to leave the mission or he was being held against his will or was taken elsewhere, reports say.
Qatar-based news outlet Al-Jazeera reported that Turkish police began a search for the missing writer.
Khashoggi has been living in self-imposed exile in the US and is an established critic of the Saudi government -- particularly the reform plans championed by Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.
"With every supposed reform comes a wave of fresh arrests, prison sentences and increasingly repressive behaviour," said Jason Rezaian, a commentator for the Post.
"At each turning point, though, Jamal has offered readers of the Post insightful commentary and sharp criticism about the seemingly impenetrable country."
The BBC said that Khashoggi served as an adviser to the Saudi royal family and was for many years seen as an insider, until he left more than a year ago amid a reported clampdown on press freedom.
With over 1.6 million followers on Twitter, Khashoggi is a prolific commentator in print and on television. He was famous for interviewing Osama bin Laden several times and also served as a media aide under Prince Turki al-Faisal, when the latter was Director General of the Saudi intelligence agency.
A US state department spokesperson said they had seen the reports from Istanbul and were "seeking more information at this time".
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Starc-inspired Delhi Capitals beat RR via super over
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI): A Mitchell Starc-inspired Delhi Capitals defeated Rajasthan Royals via the super over in their Indian Premier League match here on Wednesday.
Needing 12 runs in the super over, DC got them in four balls.
Asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals scored 188 for five.
In reply, Yashasvi Jaiswal (51 off 27 balls) and Nitish Rana (51 off 28 balls) scored brisk half-centuries to lead RR's charge before a brilliant final over by Starc took the game to the super over with the visitors finishing at 188 for four in 20 overs.
RR needed nine in the last over and Starc conceded only eight to stretch the game.
Earlier, the home team well served by Abhishek Porel's 37-ball 49 at the top of the order and even though KL Rahul consumed 32 balls for his 38, skipper Axar Patel (34 off 14 balls) and Tristan Stubbs (34 not out off 18) switched to top gear to help DC go past the 185-run mark.
Brief scores:
Delhi Capitals: 188/5 in 20 overs (Abhishek Porel 49, Tristan Stubbs 34 not out, Axar Patel 34, KL Rahul 38; Jofra Archer 2/32)..
Rajasthan Royals: 188/4 in 20 overs (Yashasvi Jaiswal 51, Nitish Rana 51).
