Missing Saudi Journalist: Int'l journalists worried about fate of Jamal Khashoggi

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03:16

Our correspondent Guy Henderson has also spoken to Yemeni dissidents in Istanbul. They told him they fear for their lives after the alleged killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Turkish authorities say they believe Khashoggi was killed inside Riyadh's consulate in the city almost two weeks ago allegations Saudi officials have denied.

The top story on Yemeni TV this weekend: another Saudi airstrike. Presumably aimed at a Houthi rebel checkpoint. Instead hitting a bus full of civilians. It's the kind of reporting the Saudis do not like. The show's anchor says he'd probably be dead by now: if the whole team hadn't re-located to Istanbul. Now Shadi Najib is afraid even here.

SHADI NAJIB EXILED YEMENI TELEVISION NEWS ANCHOR "A journalist who was just holding his pencil is killed now! This is really a serious problem, and it's very frightening for all the Arabic journalists and human rights activists."

The possible death of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has shaken this newsroom. But it has influential supporters. This is Tawakkol Karman: exiled Yemeni activist, a symbol of the Yemen revolution. Winner of the 2011 Nobel Peace Prize. At her Istanbul-based foundation, Karman tells us Riyadh's Yemeni critics have long been alleged targets.

TAWAKKOL KARMAN 2011 NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WINNER "What's happening in my country is part of the state-terror of Saudi and the UAE. What happened to Jamal Khashoggi is part of the state terror against Saudi citizens."

Part of the Turkish-Arab Media Association's job is to protect Saudi journalists based in Turkey. Turan Kislakci was supposed to be joining his friend Jamal Khashoggi -- this weekend to host a seminar for some of them. Kislakci worries a new precedent could be set if he's dead.

TURAN KISLAKCI TURKISH-ARAB MEDIA ASSOCIATION "This should never happen again, otherwise it's going to get worse and worse. And if there is no justice in this murder, the consequences will be terrible. It means that anything can happen anywhere to a journalist since even in the middle of Europe, a journalist may be shut down this way."

Istanbul has become a haven for those fleeing the Arab counter-revolutions. Many now fear for their lives.

GUY HENDERSON ISTANBUL "There are thought to be some 1.2 million Arabs living in Istanbul, and well over a thousand Arab journalists residing in Turkey. Their worry is that if Jamal Khashoggi is dead, and if the Saudi state does turn out to be responsible: that neither prominence nor exile will ensure their protection."

Tawakkol has risked her life many times in the past, and says she'll keep on doing so. Her friends at Yemeni TV are still on-air. Guy Henderson, CGTN, Istanbul.