Page 54 - 30NOV2018E
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column
Justice gets sacrificed
in Khashoggi’s murder
The needle of suspicion in the merciless killing of the Washington
ASIAN DRAMA Post columnist points to Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince. Yet there is
Syed no proof that the killer squad was sent to Istanbul at his behest
NooruzzamaN lot has been written and was committed in Istanbul. The Saudi
spoken about US-based
The columnist — former A authorities have, however, refused to
Saudi national and
entertain the Turkish demand.
Deputy Editor of The Washington Post col- The probe has been instituted by
Tribune, Chandigarh — umnist Jamal Khashog- Saudi Arabia by stating that this is how
specialises in foreign gi’s merciless killing in it could get to the bottom of all that
affairs. With a career the Saudi Arabian consulate compound happened on that fateful day inside its
spanning 41 years, he in Istanbul (Turkey) on October 2 by a consulate. However, there is a conflict of
keeps close watch on group of 15 Saudis assigned the unholy interest and, therefore, experts believe
issues related to South task. The well-planned cold-blooded that the outcome of the enquiry may not
Asian countries. The murder of the Saudi journalist, known satisfy the world community, feeling
views expressed are and admired for his fiercely independ- greatly concerned about the torture and
personal ent views, on a foreign land in a diplo- gruesome elimination of the eminent
matic facility and the way it was done journalist. It is considered a frontal at-
have sent shock waves across the world. tack on the freedom of the press.
The needle of suspicion points to Saudi It is also believed that the Saudi probe
Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammad bin will be a prolonged exercise with a view
Salman or MBS for short, whose policies to getting the world’s attention diverted
were invariably criticised by Khashoggi from the Khashoggi factor. Accord-
through his columns. It is alleged that ing to a controversial US-based Saudi
the whole operation was coordinated by national and critic of Saudi rulers, Dr
a bodyguard of MBS. Yet there is no con- Saad Al-Faqih, all efforts will be made to
clusive proof that the killer squad was ensure that MBS remains unaffected by
sent to Istanbul at the behest of MBS. the crisis caused by Khashoggi’s killing.
The Saudi authorities have main- He told the Al-Jazeera news channel the
tained that MBS had no prior knowl- other day that any number of people
edge of all that happened in their can be proceeded against and executed
consulate in the Turkish city. Saudi not only to show respect to the world
Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir has opinion but also to save MBS. Besides
The Saudi asserted that the global outrage over the18 suspects taken in custody by the
the journalist’s murder in a diplomatic
Saudi authorities, five highly senior of-
authorities have complex is “fairly hysterical”. As he told a ficials, including the deputy head of the
maintained that regional defence forum meeting in Ma- Saudi intelligence network, have been
nama (Bahrain), the 18 arrested suspects summarily sacked.
Mohammad bin are “Saudi nationals” and they would Most Middle-East experts are of the
Salman had no prior be held accountable “in Saudi Arabia”. view that execution of anyone even
Why is “this hysteria in the media before after following the due process of law
knowledge of all the investigation (already on in this will not be in the interest of justice as
that happened in regard) is complete”. He was, in fact, this may result in the elimination of
those who are aware of how the killing
referring to Turkish President Recep
their consulate in Tayyip Erdogan’s repeated demand was accomplished and exactly at whose
behest. Once they are taken to the gal-
for the extradition to and trial of the 18
the Turkish city arrested suspects in Turkey as the crime lows, the truth will never out.
Tehelka / 15 november 2018 54 www.Tehelka.com
54-55 Column-Nooruzzama.indd 2 02/11/18 11:39 AM
