Ankara: Saudi Arabian prosecutors have said they believe Saudi writer Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul in a quarrel. A royal court adviser close to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been fired.

State media also quotes prosecutors as saying that 18 Saudi nationals are being held on suspicion of being involved in the Khashoggi's death.

A statement from the Saudi public prosecutor said a fight broke out between Khashoggi and people who met him in the consulate and led to his death.

"The investigations are still underway and 18 Saudi nationals have been arrested," the statement on state media said, adding that royal court adviser Saud al-Qahtani and deputy intelligence chief Ahmed Asiri have been fired from their positions.