Global Geopolitical Series: Saudi Arabia loses credibility with frequently changed statement on Khashoggi murder

Saudi Arabia’s image in the international Arena continues to deteriorate as the Kingdom struggles to contain the outrage over the killing of Washington Post reporter at its Istanbul consulate. Jamal Khashoggi, the man at the center of outrage was a well-known Saudi journalist, who often criticized the policies of the Kingdom in his column and was especially critical to the new crown prince Mohammed bin Salman. He vanished on October 2nd during his visit to the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to get the proper divorce papers from his previous marriage, while his fiancé waited outside. According to her, he never came out. Security surveillance camera also supported her claim.

However, for two weeks Saudi Arabia tried to press that Jamal Khashoggi left the consulate after 20 minutes of entering but under intense international outcry and pressure from allies, Saudi Arabia finally claimed that the journalist was killed in a fist-fight after officials asked him to return to his home country to get all the necessary papers.

At the same time, Turkey outraged by the killing on its soil claimed to have an audio tape of the killing and CCTV footages that in reality, Khashoggi was brutally murdered and the Kingdom preplanned it, which contradicted the Saudi account of an accidental killing.

Now, on Thursday, Saudi Arabian spokesman on the matter announced that the murder was pre-planned, reversing the previous statement that the murder was unintended.

As the frequently changed statements continue to undermine Saudi Arabia’s credibility on the international arena, the Kingdom is facing one of its gravest diplomatic crisis in history.