Khashoggi killing was premeditated

The Saudi Public Prosecutor acknowledged yesterday that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Istanbul earlier this month was premeditated. The prosecutor said that he was making the assessment on the basis of evidence supplied by Turkey. “Information from the Turkish side through the Joint Task Force between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Turkey indicates that the suspects in that incident had carried out their activities with a prior intention,” a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency read.

“The Public Prosecutor’s Office continues its investigations with the accused in the light of what has been reported and the results of its investigations to reach the facts and complete the course of justice.” Saudi Arabia said on Saturday that 18 people were arrested over the killing of Khashoggi. The Saudi energy minister earlier said foreign companies which boycotted the Future Investment Forum (FII) had “apologised” and vowed a return to normal ties.

“Some companies abstained from the conference due to political pressure as a result of an odious campaign directed from outside the kingdom which has failed,” Khalid al-Falih told state-run Al-Ekhbariya news channel. “All the companies that abstained have been calling us during the past 48 hours to apologise and express regret,” and vowed to open offices and restore normal relations, Falih said.

Earlier, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman denounced the “repulsive” murder and vowed justice will prevail, in his first public comments on the case at the investment forum on Wednesday. Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince also presided over the first meeting of a committee to restructure the command of the general intelligence agency, the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said yesterday.

The committee has “discussed a reform plan and is assessing the current situation,” the statement read. Last week, Saudi King Salman directed for the formation of a ministerial committee headed by Prince Mohammed bin Salman to restructure the kingdom’s General Intelligence Presidency.