Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has reignited international controversy by once again claiming he had no prior knowledge of the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The 2018 murder inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul triggered worldwide condemnation and multiple international investigations that pointed to the direct involvement of individuals close to the Crown Prince. In his latest remarks, however, the de facto Saudi leader has attempted to place full responsibility outside his circle, a move many analysts see as a calculated political defense. The statement makes clear that Riyadh is now focused on reducing external pressure and rebuilding the Kingdom’s global image.

In the immediate aftermath of the Khashoggi killing, the United States and other Western nations called for a reassessment of ties with Saudi Arabia. Yet, driven by shared interests in security, energy, and trade, relations gradually warmed again. Against this backdrop, the Crown Prince’s latest comments appear designed to signal to the West that he does not wish to be personally tied to the incident any longer. At the same time, the royal family is working hard to craft a new international image through domestic reforms, foreign investment, and the ambitious Vision 2030 agenda. Human-rights organizations, however, view these denials as an attempt to conceal the truth and insist that no genuine image overhaul is possible without full accountability for Khashoggi’s murder.

The Crown Prince’s remarks have prompted political analysts, human-rights activists, and journalist organizations around the world to once again demand a complete investigation and justice for those responsible. Jamal Khashoggi was not just a journalist; he became a global symbol of freedom of expression. Any attempt to hide the truth or deny responsibility in a case like his therefore poses a direct threat to press freedom worldwide. The Crown Prince’s latest statements have reignited the debate: how much of the truth has actually come to light, and how much still remains deliberately shrouded in darkness.