Don’t join cover-up, murdered journalist’s fiancee tells Trump
THE fiancee of murdered Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi has called on Donald Trump not to become part of the cover-up over his death.
Hatice Cengiz said she was ‘disappointed’ by the response of the US President since details emerged of the torture and killing of Mr Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
She urged Mr Trump to ‘help reveal the truth’ and not ‘let money taint our conscience and compromise our values’.
In an emotional speech in London last night, Miss Cengiz called on the Saudi regime to tell her where Mr Khashoggi’s body is.
She said she would never have let her fiance go into the consulate if she had known there were ‘bloodthirsty, evil people’ waiting for him inside.
Washington Post columnist Mr Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi regime, went into the building on October 2 to obtain paperwork proving he had divorced his wife so he could marry again. Miss Cengiz, who is understood to
‘Immense pain in my heart’
have been given police protection, waited in vain outside for him for 11 hours. She said: ‘If only I knew that would be the last time I would see my Jamal, I would have stood in front of the murderous team myself.
‘Yet we never imagined such a level of barbarity, cruelty and evil could be waiting for Jamal. What has followed since is an evergrowing void and immense pain in my heart and soul.’
Mr Khashoggi’s murder has caused a diplomatic firestorm for Saudi Arabia and its crown prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The Saudi authorities, who initially insisted he had left the consulate unharmed, now admit he was killed inside but say a rogue hit squad was to blame.
Miss Cengiz, who is Turkish, said: ‘I am grateful for the solidarity of people all over the world.
‘I am, however, disappointed in the actions of President Trump, who should help reveal the truth and ensure justice be served.
‘He should not pave the way for a cover-up of my fiance’s murder. Let’s not let money taint our conscience and compromise our values.’
Last week Miss Cengiz snubbed an invitation from Mr Trump to visit the White House because she thought it was aimed at influencing public opinion in his favour.