Saudi Arabia Now Says Khashoggi Killing Was Premeditated

Officials outside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, where Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was last seen alive.

Anadolu Agency / Getty Images

Updated at 2:46 p.m. ET

Saudi Arabia’s public prosecutor said Thursday that the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi in their consulate in Istanbul was premeditated, reversing course yet again on the Saudi account of what happened.

Khashoggi was last seen alive walking into the consulate on Oct. 2, and Saudi Arabia initially denied any part in his disappearance. Last week, its government changed its story, saying the U.S. resident and critic of Saudi policy had died in the consulate because of a fight.