The Economist's editor-in-chief, Zanny Minton Beddoes, has pulled out of a glitzy international conference in Riyadh dubbed the "Davos in the desert" over allegations of Saudi Arabia's involvement in the suspected murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and vocal critic of the Saudi regime, has not been seen since he entered the country's consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain marriage documents.

BuzzFeed News understands Minton Beddoes cancelled her appearance at Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Future Investment Initiative to be held later this month. It is due to feature senior government officials and business leaders, such as US treasury secretary Steve Mnuchin and Uber's CEO, Dara Khosrowshahi.