The case of journalist Jamal Khashoggi gained international attention . After many years serving as a reporter and foreign correspondent for several Arab newspapers , Khashoggi worked as a deputy editor-in-chief of Arab News from 1999 to 2003 . In 2003 , he became the editor-in-chief for Al Watan , a daily newspaper that pushed for reform in Saudi Arabia and published information of more sensitive issues , specifically regarding the Riyadh compound bombings . Khashoggi was dismissed from his position at Al Watan because under his leadership columnists wrote articles questioning the religious police and criticizing the country 's following of Ibn Taymiyyah , the Islamic scholar who inspired Wahhabism . He left Saudi , and began working in the Saudi Embassy in Washington , D.C. , but later returned to Al Watan until he was once again removed three years later
Riyadh compound bombings
Riyadh compound bombings
Censorship in Saudi Arabia