Saudi says Khashoggi murder ‘premeditated’

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia acknowledged on Thursday that the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi appeared to have been premeditated, based on information from Turkey.

The Saudi public prosecutor said he was making the latest assessment on the basis of evidence supplied by Turkey.

“Information from the Turkish authorities indicates that the act of the suspects in the Khashoggi case was premeditated,” the office of public prosecutor Shaikh Saud al Mojeb 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.”

The slow drip of admissions cast a pall over a showcase threeday investment forum that was closing on Thursday with organisers putting a brave face on the array of no-shows among big-name guests.

The Saudi energy minister 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 staterun 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.

Economy and Planning Minister Mohammed al Tuwaijri told the conference that Saudi oil giant Aramco was “absolutely ready” for its longawaited massive IPO although several regulatory procedures remained.

The investment conference, dubbed “Davos in the desert”, aimed at drawing foreign investors to help Riyadh diversify its oil-reliant economy.

A long list of investors and international policymakers declined to show up in Riyadh over the Khashoggi murder.