Murder of Khashoggi 'premeditated': Saudi prosecutor

RIYADH - AFP

Saudi Arabia said Oct. 25 the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul was "premeditated" based on information supplied by Turkey, state media reported.

"Information from the Turkish authorities indicates that the act of the suspects in the Khashoggi case was premeditated," the public prosector said in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

"The public prosecution continues its investigation with suspects... to complete the course of justice."

Saudi Arabia initially claimed Khashoggi left freely after visiting the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to complete paperwork for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee.

But, as international pressure mounted, the kingdom said on Oct. 20 that the Washington Post contributor and critic of the Saudi government died inside the mission when an argument degenerated into a fistfight.

It later acknowledged that he had in fact been murdered, as Turkish officials said all along.

The kingdom sacked two top aides to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman as well three intelligence officials and arrested 18 Saudi suspects.

On Oct. 25, Prince Mohammed chaired the first meeting of a committee his father King Salman has tasked with revamping the intelligence services in light of the Khashoggi crisis.

Key mysteries yet to be explained are suspicions that Saudi Arabia’s crown prince ordered the killing - even though he publicly condemned it - and the whereabouts of the columnist’s body.

Crown Prince Mohammad says Khashoggi killing will not 'drive a wedge' between Saudi Arabia, Turkey