Preliminary investigations into the case of citizen Jamal Khashoggi 

PIC: Jamal Khashoggi Photo: AFP

By Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Public Prosecutor stated that preliminary investigations carried out by the Public Prosecution Office into the disappearance of citizen Jamal Khashoggi revealed that the discussions that took place between him and the persons with whom he met during his visit to the Kingdom's Consulate in Istanbul led to quarrels and an altercation, which tragically resulted in his death.

The Public Prosecutor confirms that its investigations into this case continue with 18 individuals, who are all Saudi nationals, in custody with the aim of reaching all the facts and declaring them, and to hold all those involved in this case accountable and bringing them to justice. 

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia takes necessary measures to clarify the truth into the case of citizen Jamal Khashoggi and emphasises to hold all those involved in the disappearance of the citizen / Jamal bin Ahmed Khashoggi accountable.

It drew the attention of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia at the highest levels, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. 

The Kingdom took the necessary procedures to clarify the truth and immediately dispatched an investigation team to Turkey on October 6th, 2018 to investigate and cooperate with their counterparts in Turkey, which resulted in the formation of the Joint Investigation Team between the Kingdom and the Republic of Turkey and the permission to the Turkish authorities to enter the premises of the Consulate of the Kingdom in Istanbul and the residence of the Consul, for the Kingdom keenness to know all the facts. 

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud also has issued a decree No. 5709 dated 3/2/1440 H. October 14th, 2018 to investigate the incident.

The investigations were carried out by the Public Prosecution and it investigated a number of suspects on the basis of information provided by the Turkish authorities to the Joint Investigation Team to determine whether any of them had any information or involvement regarding the incident noting that the information provided to the investigation team indicate that Jamal Khashoggi has left the consulate. 

In order to implement the directives of the leadership, which state the importance to reveal the truth in any way and declare it transparently; preliminary investigations conducted by the Public Prosecution showed that the suspect traveled to Istanbul to meet with Jamal Khashoggi after indications appeared the possibility of returning Jamal Khashoggi to the country.

The results of the preliminary investigations revealed that the discussions that took place with the citizen / Jamal Khashoggi during his presence in the Consulate of the Kingdom in Istanbul by the suspects did not go as required and escalated negatively which led to a fight between them and the citizen / Jamal Khashoggi, which aggregated the situation and led to his death, may God rest his soul, in addition to their attempt to conceal what happened and to cover it up. 

The source added that while the investigations are still ongoing in the case with the 18 detainees of Saudi nationality, the Kingdom expresses its deep regret at the painful outcome and stresses the commitment of the authorities in the Kingdom to bring the facts to the public, as well as holding all those involved and bringing them to justice by referring them to the competent courts in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Directs Formation of Ministerial Committee to restructure the Presidency of the General Intelligence based on what has been submitted by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and President of the Council of Political and Security Affairs, to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the urgent need to restructure the General Intelligence Presidency, and overhaul its rules and regulations, as well as, to determine its authorities and assess its procedures and powers within its administrative and ordered organisational sequence to ensure the proper functioning of its work and the determination of responsibilities. 

As the public interest requires the formation of a committee to do so, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques issued an order, No. 7422, on the formation of a ministerial committee chaired by the Crown Prince and President of the Council of Political and Security Affairs; including the membership of a number of members of the Council: Prince Abdulaziz bin Saud bin Naif bin Abdulaziz, the Minister of Interior; Dr. Mousaed Al-Aiban; Dr. Ibrahim Al-Assaf; the Minister of Foreign Affairs; the President of General Intelligence, and the President of the State Security. 

The Committee shall submit the results of its work within one month of its issue date. 

Royal Order Relieving Saud bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani of his Post As Advisor at Royal Court The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal order relieving Saud bin Abdullah Al-Qahtani of his Post as advisor at the Royal Court. 

Royal Order Relieving Deputy President of General Intelligences of his Post The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saudi issued a royal order relieving Ahmed bin Hassan bin Mohammed Assiri of his post as Deputy President of the General Intelligence. 

Royal Order terminating services of a number of General Intelligence's Officers.

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud issued a royal order terminating the services of a number of officers working in the General Intelligence Presidency. 

First: Termination of services of the officers whose names are as follows: 

1. Assistant Chief of General Intelligence for Intelligence Affairs, Pilot Brigade/ Mohammad bin Saleh Al-Rumaih. 

2. Assistant Chief of General Intelligence for Human Resources, Major General/ Abdullah bin Khalifa Al-Shaya. 

3. Director of the General Directorate of Security and Protection at General Intelligence Presidency/ Rashad bin Hamed Al-Muhamadi. 

The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques' directives on the regrettable, painful incident of Khashoggi's death reflects KSA's commitment to consolidating justice.

 The Royal Orders issued by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, on the case of the tragic and painful event that led to the death of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi - may God rest his soul; including directives by the Attorney General to investigate the disappearance followed by the formation of a committee to review procedures and the dismissal of a number of officials, comes as a continuation of the Kingdom's efforts to seek justice in accordance with Saudi laws and to uphold accountability, especially if it concerns one of the Kingdom's citizens, in a swift and decisive manner, regardless of the circumstances.

These measures reflect the leadership's commitment to the security and wellbeing of all Saudi citizens. It also reflects the determination of the leadership to hold those directly responsible accountable and to insure tragic errors like this never happen again by including corrective measures.

The source added that the Kingdom's government appreciates the distinguished co-operation of the Republic of Turkey under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan whose efforts and co-operation importantly contributed to the investigation into the killing of Saudi citizen Jamal Khashoggi.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia also appreciates the wise positions of countries that preferred to wait on investigation procedures and evidence; avoiding unfounded speculations and allegations. 

Official statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia