Washington Post to publish special Opinion page with new Khashoggi column

The Washington Post will print a special Opinion page on Thursday that includes a column written by Jamal Khashoggi before he disappeared more than two weeks ago.

The paper announced that the column focuses on the need for a free press in the Mideast. It will be accompanied by an editor’s note explaining the timing of the column’s publication as part of a special section dedicated to Khashoggi, who contributed regularly to the Post.

A piece from the Washington Post editorial board will be printed opposite Khashoggi’s column.

{mosads}Khashoggi’s column will be published online in Arabic and English on Wednesday evening.

Khashoggi, a Virginia resident and a frequent critic of Saudi leadership, was last seen on Oct. 2 entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Reports published earlier Wednesday said Turkish officials have audio that proves Khashoggi was killed and dismembered inside the facility.

President Trump said Wednesday that the U.S. has requested audio and video from Turkey related to Khashoggi’s disappearance.

Saudi leaders have said they do not know what happened to Khashoggi, but Turkish officials and U.S. lawmakers in recent days have said it’s likely the journalist was killed after entering the consulate.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with leaders from Saudi Arabia and Turkey on Tuesday and Wednesday to discuss Khashoggi’s disappearance, which is the subject of a joint investigation between the Turks and Saudis.

Pompeo offered few details on the investigation into Khashoggi’s status, and said the Saudis need time to conduct a thorough review of the incident. 

While U.S. lawmakers have said any evidence the Saudis killed Khashoggi would mark a turning point in the relationship between the two countries, Trump has repeatedly pointed to Saudi denials and expressed reluctance to do anything that would jeopardize lucrative arms deals between the two nations.