Punish savage Saudi killers of Khashoggi begs tearful fiancee
THE fiancee of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi yesterday demanded that those responsible are brought to justice for their “savagery”.
In a tearful interview with a Turkish TV channel, Hatice Cengiz said: “I demand that all those involved in this savagery from the highest to the lowest levels are punished and brought to justice.”
The Washington Post columnist was tortured, murdered and allegedly dismembered earlier this month when he entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents for his forthcoming wedding to Ms Cengiz, 36.
The Turkish PhD student, who waited outside the consulate for 11 hours on the day, also told how she declined an invitation to the US from President Donald Trump, a staunch defender of Saudi Arabia.
She said: “Trump invited me to the United States but I perceived it as a statement to win public favour.”
Chilling
Ms Cengiz said that Mr Khashoggi had been concerned about his visit to the Saudi consulate but did not believe that he would come to harm. He had been treated well on a previous trip to the consulate on September 28.
“He thought Turkey is a safe country and if he would be held or interrogated, this issue would be swiftly solved,” she added.
Her emotional plea for justice came as Turkish prosecutors announced that an extradition request has been submitted to Saudi Arabia for the 18 people who were arrested in an investigation into the killing.
Pressure is now mounting on the Saudis to hand over the “hit squad” who were caught on CCTV flying in and out of Istanbul’s airport on a private jet on the day of the murder.
Last week a chilling audio recording allegedly surfaced of the interrogation, torture and murder of Mr Khashoggi inside the consulate’s office.
Saudi officials have admitted the murder was pre-meditated, having previously claimed that Mr Khashoggi died in a fist fight.
Questions have been raised about the role of the Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who is widely believed to have ordered the killing.
However Riyadh continues to blame a “rogue operation”, insisting the royal family had no knowledge of the killing.