Gates Foundation stops backing Saudi charity

By Fatih Hafiz Mehmet

ANKARA

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is canceling most of its $5 million pledge to the MiSk Foundation, a Saudi charity headed by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The "current situation" played a part in the Gates Foundation's decision, a spokesperson told The Wall Street Journal, referring to the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

"Jamal Khashoggi's abduction and murder is extremely troubling. We are observing current events with concern," the foundation said in a statement.

Khashoggi, a Saudi national and columnist for The Washington Post, was killed on Oct. 2 inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

After weeks of denying involvement, the Kingdom admitted he had been killed at the consulate and that it was premeditated.