Washington Post columnist missing in Turkey

A Washington Post columnist who has written pieces critical of Saudi Arabia’s crown prince has gone missing, according to the paper. 

Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi, was last seen visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Tuesday. He entered the consulate at about 1 p.m., his fiancée told the Post. She reportedly called police when Khashoggi did not emerge by 5 p.m., when the consulate closed for the day.

{mosads}Khashoggi’s friends told the Post he was attempting to get documents for a marriage license at the consulate. He reportedly visited the consulate without incident last Friday.

His personal website is running a banner that reads, “Jamal has been arrested at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul!”

“We have been unable to reach Jamal today and are very concerned about where he may be,” said the Post’s international opinions editor, Eli Lopez, in a statement. 

Lopez said the paper is closely monitoring the situation and trying to find more information.

“It would be unfair and outrageous if he has been detained for his work as a journalist and commentator,” Lopez added. “Jamal is a great writer and insightful political observer, deeply committed to the open exchange of ideas; we are honored to have his point of view be part of our Global Opinions.”

Updated: Oct. 6, 9:45 a.m.