On Thursday, prosecutors in Saudi Arabia announced the death of Saudi citizen and United States resident Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated. This change takes the Washington Post journalist's death from an accident—as claimed previously—to murder.
President Donald Trump and the Trump administration drew heavy criticism over their response to Khashoggi's disappearance and subsequent reports of his death. The President and members of the administration faced accusations of aiding the Saudi government over advocating for a resident of the United States.
Khashoggi was last seen entering the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. At first the Saudi government reported Khashoggi left the consulate, but Turkish authorities stated they believed the journalist died there.
Since their initial response, the Saudi official story continues to evolve, including today's announcement. Watch a report of the latest information here.
Jamal Khashoggi’s killing was a premeditated crime, Saudi prosecutors say https://t.co/gPz5uZCYP7 https://t.co/XWtCw9fETA— Fox News (@Fox News) 1540479573.0
Fox News also outlined the changes in the Saudi story since October 3. They noted:
"Khashoggi Murder - shifting statements since disappearance•10/3: MBS says Khashoggi exited consulate..."nothing to hide"
•10/12: Saudi official calls murder allegations "lies, baseless"
•10/19: Saudis blame "fistfight" for death, say 18 arrested
•Today: killing was a premeditated crime"
Khashoggi Murder -shifting statements since disappearance •10/3: MBS says Khashoggi exited consulate..."nothing to… https://t.co/VXP4PeVZFI— Fox News Research (@Fox News Research) 1540483512.0
Saudi Attorney General Saud al-Mojeb announced investigators concluded Khashoggi's killing was a premeditated crime after reviewing evidence presented by Turkish officials as part of a joint investigation.
Thursday, Turkey's foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, said at a news conference:
"Jamal Khashoggi's body still hasn't been found. Where is it?"
"There is a crime here, but there is also a humanitarian situation. The family wants to know and they want to perform their last duty."
People were not surprised to see another new version of what happened to Khashoggi and the consulate coming from Saudi Arabia. Nor was the determination of premeditated murder shocking as international sentiment favored the Turkish version of events from the beginning.
@FoxNews Duh.— Viv Masney (@Viv Masney) 1540489322.0
@FoxNews Which number excuse are we up to now? I can't keep up.— lisa S Marie (@lisa S Marie) 1540480608.0
@FoxNews And water is wet🙄— Brown Eyed Sierra Dweller (@Brown Eyed Sierra Dweller) 1540479632.0
@FoxNews Whhhaatt? No way! Now I’m shocked!— Mark (@Mark) 1540480712.0
Many criticized the United States official response.
@FoxNews Are we sure that the saudi murder was not actually done by democrats to make the Trump administration look bad ?? #magabomber— Guy Smiley 🍑 (@Guy Smiley 🍑) 1540479990.0
@FoxNewsResearch Now do Trump's shifting statements.— 🇺🇸🇵🇷 Name is Bishop🌊 (@🇺🇸🇵🇷 Name is Bishop🌊) 1540483568.0
While others questioned continued relations between the United States and Saudi Arabia.
Many raised the issued of weapons sales.
@FoxNews The United States must END all weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and END all support for their crimes in Yemen.— Daniel Harder (@Daniel Harder) 1540479657.0
@FoxNews I think we need to beak all relations with Sadi Arabia. But, why did they target Jamal? What provoked such… https://t.co/27CFzO9fSZ— TheSysEng (@TheSysEng) 1540480682.0
@FoxNews They would know, the perpetrator is directing their investigation— Agent 5 (@Agent 5) 1540479618.0
@FoxNews They helped fund 9/11 too but it seems we just don’t care... #maga— Benny (@Benny) 1540481095.0
@FoxNews Two-faced doesn’t even come close to the truth about those so-called allies! https://t.co/RuaMILFByV— ValiantAriel (@ValiantAriel) 1540480135.0
@FoxNews This whole thing is horrible— Scott (@Scott) 1540482250.0
@FoxNews Why haven't we taken steps again the Saudi's? U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May condemns the killing of Ja… https://t.co/ie1hlyk6et— SKGJ (@SKGJ) 1540481771.0
The investigation into Khashoggi's death continues.