Friend: Saudi journalist ‘killed’ at consulate in Istanbul

In this Feb. 1, 2015  file photo, Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks during a press conference in Manama, Bahrain.  AP

ISTANBUL — A friend of a Saudi journalist who went missing in Istanbul says officials told him to “make your funeral preparations” as the Washington Post contributor “was killed” at the Saudi Consulate.

Turan Kislakci, a friend of Jamal Khashoggi and the head of the Turkish-Arab Media Association, told The Associated Press on Sunday that officials also told him they “have evidence he was killed in a barbaric way” and dismembered.

Saudi officials have denied the allegations that Khashoggi was killed as “baseless.”

A Turkish official separately told the AP that authorities believe Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi Consulate. Another said it was a “high possibility.” Both spoke on condition of anonymity as the investigation was ongoing.

Khashoggi disappeared Tuesday. /ee