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Politics & World • Journalist

Jamal Khashoggi

Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist, author, and columnist for The Washington Post who became an outspoken critic of the Saudi government.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Jamal Khashoggi was a Saudi journalist, author, and columnist for The Washington Post who became an outspoken critic of the Saudi government. He disappeared after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 and was later confirmed to have been killed there. His death drew international attention and led to widespread condemnation and investigations.

Early life and career

Khashoggi was born in Medina in 1958 and built a career as a Saudi journalist, working for several media outlets. He later served as editor of Al Watan and as an executive at Al-Arab News Channel.

Views and exile

Khashoggi became known for his criticism of Saudi political repression and the direction of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s rule. He left Saudi Arabia in 2017 and continued publishing from self-imposed exile.

Death in Istanbul

On 2 October 2018, Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul and was killed there. His death was treated internationally as an extrajudicial killing and triggered diplomatic fallout.

International response

Khashoggi’s killing led to investigations, official condemnations, and continuing debate over responsibility at the highest levels of the Saudi state. It became one of the most widely discussed press-freedom cases of the decade.

Key facts

  • He was a Saudi journalist and columnist who wrote critically about Saudi politics.
  • He went into self-imposed exile in 2017 and later wrote from abroad, including for The Washington Post.
  • He entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 and never left alive.
  • Investigations and official statements concluded that he was killed inside the consulate, though accounts differed on responsibility and details.
  • His death prompted global scrutiny of Saudi Arabia and its leadership.
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Canadian context

Canadian readers may know Khashoggi’s case through international reporting on press freedom, human rights, and Canada’s relations with Saudi Arabia.

Frequently asked questions

Who was Jamal Khashoggi?
He was a Saudi journalist, author, and Washington Post columnist known for criticizing the Saudi government.
When was Jamal Khashoggi born?
He was born on 13 October 1958 in Medina, Saudi Arabia.
How did Jamal Khashoggi die?
He was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018.
What was Jamal Khashoggi known for professionally?
He worked as a journalist, edited Al Watan, and wrote opinion pieces for The Washington Post.
Why is Jamal Khashoggi important?
His death became a major international case involving press freedom, human rights, and Saudi state accountability.

References

  1. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-45812399
    Supports: Biographical overview; death in Istanbul; investigative findings and international response
  2. CNN — https://www.cnn.com/world/middleeast/jamal-khashoggi-fast-facts
    Supports: Birth and death dates; role as Washington Post columnist; criticism of Saudi government
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jamal_Khashoggi
    Supports: Career details; Al Watan editorship; exile in 2017
  4. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassination_of_Jamal_Khashoggi
    Supports: Summary of the killing and reporting on responsibility
  5. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jamal-Khashoggi
    Supports: Biographical identification and significance