Saudi journalist dies from chokehold to prevent him from calling for help

A Saudi official has told ABC News that Jamal Khashoggi was killed when he was "placed in a chokehold position" to prevent him from leaving the country's consulate in Turkey and calling for help.

The evolving explanation comes 19 days after Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist who had been critical of his country's current government, disappeared on October 2nd after going into the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Once Khashoggi was reported missing, the Saudi government initially said Khashoggi had come out of the consulate the same day, and denied any involvement in his disappearance.

Two weeks later, the country's public prosecutor said an initial investigation revealed that discussions between Khashoggi and the individuals who met with him at the consulate led to an argument and a fist fight, which resulted in the journalist's death, according to the Arabic report in the Saudi Press Agency.

The whereabouts of Khashoggi's body remain unknown.

Fifteen Saudis, members of the team sent to Turkey to meet with Khashoggi in the consulate in Istanbul, are among those who have been detained by the Saudi public prosecutor.

The official also told ABC News that five Saudi intelligence chiefs, who were relieved of their duties in connection to Khashoggi's death.

[Source: ABC]