The Khashoggi story is one of the strangest to hit our newsrooms

The Saudis aren’t known for embracing criticism, but surely, we thought when the story broke, they wouldn’t abduct and murder a high-profile, US-based international journalist the moment he set foot on their turf?

Even by normal newsroom standards – with macabre and outlandish stories a standard part of the daily routine – the story of Jamal Khashoggi, the Washington Post columnist who disappeared after attending a meeting at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, was difficult to grasp.

The Saudi authorities aren’t known for embracing criticism, but the idea that they would abduct and murder a high-profile, US-based, journalist – as Turkish officials were suggesting – the moment he set foot on their turf? That’s more akin to the behaviour of the mafia or a Mexican narco gang than the government of a major international power and key ally of the west in the so-called war on terror.

Fortunately, our international correspondent, Borzou Daragahi, is based in Istanbul; he was therefore able to provide regular reports and analysis as the story developed, with the knowledge of a resident. He also spoke to other dissidents, who explained how they – like Khashoggi – were living in exile, and fear, after criticising their home governments around the Arab world. Placing the story in a broader context is vital.

Meanwhile, Middle East correspondent Bel Trew, spoke to Khaled bin Farhan al-Saud, a Saudi prince living in exile in Germany, who alleged that the Saudi authorities planned a similar kidnapping ploy against him just 10 days before Khashoggi went missing.

Now the focus of the story is turning to the growing international backlash against the Saudi government, and Donald Trump’s apparent reluctance to sanction one of his key allies. Perhaps we will never know for sure what happened in the consulate – but it is certainly our duty to make sure Khashoggi’s case is kept in the public eye. Indeed, it is safe to say this is not the last we’ve heard of this extraordinary episode.

Yours,

Jon di Paolo

Deputy news editor