Khashoggi 'murder recording transcript' published

World+Biz

TBS Report
11 September, 2019, 11:15 am
Last modified: 11 September, 2019, 11:26 am
Khashoggi's mysterious death piled scrutiny on Saudi Arabia, who in the aftermath released conflicting information regarding his disappearance

New details from the hyped murder case of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have been publsihed in a Turkish newspaper which reportedly captured the final moments including his alleged last words.

The prominent government critic was killed in Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul last October.

According to the report published in the pro-government Sabah newspaper, the transcript was from a recording taken inside which later was obtained by Turkish intelligence.

Khashoggi wrote a column for the Washington Post newspaper and was based in the US before his disappearance, reports BBC.

He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on 2 October 2018 to obtain papers he needed to marry his Turkish fiancée.

His mysterious death piled scrutiny on Saudi Arabia, who in the aftermath released conflicting information regarding his disappearance.

Saudi authorities have since blamed a "rogue" operation for his murder and put 11 men on trial.

Timeline: Jamal Khashoggi's death

2 October 2018

Jamal Khashoggi enters the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. His fiancée Hatice Cengiz waits outside, but Khashoggi doesn't emerge.

4 October 2018

In its first statement, Saudi Arabia says Khashoggi disappeared after leaving the consulate, and that it is trying to establish what happened to him.

6 October 2018

Khashoggi's employers, the Washington Post, report that Turkish intelligence believe he was killed inside the consulate by a 15-man team sent from Saudi Arabia.

10 October 2018

CCTV footage showing the alleged hit squad arriving in Turkey is aired by Turkish media.

13 October 2018

Saudi Arabia attacks "lies and baseless allegations" and repeats it did not kill Khashoggi. The BBC learns Turkey has an audio recording indicating he was killed in the consulate.

15 October 2018

Donald Trump speaks to Saudi King Salman, who denies his country killed Khashoggi. Trump suggests "rogue killers" may be responsible.

20 October 2018

For the first time, Saudi Arabia admits Khashoggi is dead, claiming he died in a fight. This is met with wide scepticism. Two senior Saudi officials are fired.

22 October 2018

Saudi Arabia gives a new account, denying reports that Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing, saying Khashoggi was murdered in a "rogue operation". Footage emerges of a body double leaving the Saudi consulate dressed in Khashoggi's clothes.

16 November 2018

The Washington Post reports the CIA has concluded Mohammed bin Salman ordered the killing. Trump later contradicts this, saying the CIA did not conclude the crown prince was responsible.

22 November 2018

France, like Germany and the UK, bans all the Saudi suspects from its territory. Germany also stops arms sales to Saudi Arabia.

What does the newspaper say?

The Sabah has consistently made international headlines by carrying details - including some that have been disputed - about the journalist's mysterious death.

The newspaper published two new reports this week into Khashoggi's death at the hands of a group they label a "hit squad".

Their latest report details information from the alleged recording.

It includes details such as a forensic expert, part of a team sent from Saudi Arabia, allegedly referring to the journalist as an "animal to be sacrificed" prior to his arrival.

The Sabah report says Khashoggi, once inside in the consulate, became suspicious and was told he had to return to Riyadh because of an Interpol order.

The journalist allegedly refused to comply with the group's requests, which included texting his son, and was then drugged, according to the newspaper.

He reportedly then told his killers, in his last words, to not keep his mouth closed because of his asthma, but then lost consciousness.

Khashoggi was suffocated with a bag put over his head, the Sabah reports, with the sounds of a scuffle allegedly picked up by the recording.

They newspaper also alleges the tape captured his alleged dismemberment at the hands of the forensic expert.

Turkish officials have publicly confirmed their existence of audio recordings from Khashoggi's death have been around since last year.

They have also shared them with international governments but is unclear how the newspaper apparently obtained them.

Almost a year on from his death, Khashoggi's body has not been recovered despite international pressure.

Earlier this year, a UN expert on extrajudicial killings called for an independent and impartial investigation into his death.

Special rapporteur Agnes Callamard described the journalist's death as a "deliberate, premeditated execution" and alleges "the state of Saudi Arabia is responsible" and should be investigated.

The Saudi government rejected her report and have consistently denied those responsible for the death were acting on official orders.

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