The Saudi Arabian embassy in Washington, D.C., has canceled a major celebration in the wake of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, according to an email reviewed by The Daily Beast. “The Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia thanks you for your interest in the celebration of the 88th Saudi National Day,” reads the email, sent to a person who had RSVP’d for the event. “Please be advised that the reception for the National Day of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, October 18, from 6:00 pm-8:00 pm has been cancelled.” The event could have brought powerful Washingtonians to the Saudi embassy for an evening celebrating the country’s culture. But it also would have drawn protesters and boycotts, given allegations that the Saudi government directed that Khashoggi be killed earlier this month when he entered a Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Khashoggi was a vocal critic of the kingdom’s powerful crown prince. The Saudi embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
— Betsy Woodruff
