Of god, these pictures are are so hard to look at. My deepest condolences to Ms. Cengiz.
The lack of reading comprehension skills by some of the commentators here is troubling. It doesn't take close reading to follow that Kashoggi visited the embassy unannounced the first-time after visiting the marriage office with his fiance, returning to a set appointment on the fatal day (apparently under the pretense that he would be picking up a document needed for his marriage, maybe proof of his divorce from his first wife?). It could be that he left the phones with his fiance before entering because they weren't allowed inside, which isn't uncommon in government offices where they don't want you filming or taking pictures. Even so, how does that undermine that this was a brutal premeditated murder? It's crazy that people want to find alternative explanations to something that is smack in your face - solid evidence of the brutal assassination of a dissident by an authoritarian regime that also happens to have lots and lots and lots of $$$
71
Part of the poignancy is that Mr. Khashoggi and Ms. Cengiz were to be married and start their new life together.
So much tragedy, such horror and knowing that a death team of 15 men had Mr. Khashoggi's death and dismemberment planned. There was evil afoot which cannot be ignored.
He was a journalist, one who spoke truth to power and increased understanding of Saudi Arabia for those abroad.
May he rest in peace and Ms. Cengiz, his family and friends know they are in our thoughts and prayers during these long days when his fate becomes clearer.
85
This is a crime most foul --with a stench that reeks to high heaven as if snatched out of some Shakespearian scenes.
Mr. Khashoggi and Ms. Cengiz were truly following their heart --as a couple intent in marriage, re-building after what for Mr. Khashoggi was a painful experience as he loved his land. They were placing a bet in their future and our future --as people in love do.
The crime of the Crown Prince, as it appears is the case, is truly without bounds, now and in times more amoral as it combines arrogance, corruption, and cold-blooded murder with premeditation, with henchmen, and yes, with bloodied bone saws.
As the House of Saud is realizing, a new heir will be needed. Perhaps MBS might believe we will forget, but vigilant lawmen might snatch him anytime if he leaves his country, and he will ooze and stain with disrepute, blood, and disgrace whomever he is visited by, as our own now dirtied and besmirched Steve Mnuchin is now realizing.,,
98
This is a heartbreaking story. Literally. Mr. Khashoggi was there to legally officiate his marriage to an honorable woman.
He died because of... his words...his religion..his patriotism..his ideals. I cannot see how he deserved death when he was petitioning for love?
144
Ms. Cengiz has been in my mind ever since this horrible story emerged in the world news of the NYT and NPR. My deepest condolences to her, for the loss and trauma she has sustained in this appalling event. I am sure many around the world share my sentiments, and I hope she finds some comfort in knowing this. Words cannot adequately express the intensity of horror of this incident. It must not be excused in any way...and money for guns has absolutely no importance compared to this enormous breach of human rights...under the eyes of the entire world.
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Next information release from Turkey - emails that confirm an appointment beforehand. Something that tipped off saudis to his consulate visit.
2
@South Of Albany -- he did have an official "invite" after the first time when he arrived at the Consulate unannounced when he was told to return on October 2nd, that the documents would be ready then.
1
Why are people and the press pretending that the US is a paragon of virtue and morality. Do people believe that US bodies don’t “neutralise” people, even their own citizens, who represent threats? Executions still happen in certain states; the “humaneness” of it is merely a distraction, as if the penalty for murder would be any less severe if the victim was treated well before the action.
Tangentially, if you think that the US isn’t violating its own nuclear proliferation treaties, I have a bridge in London to sell you...
6
While the list of depredations committed by the United States is long, overt torture and renditions were stopped by the election of President Obama. Those of us who supported him were disheartened to the extent we failed to vote in the midterms when he took war crimes prosecution of the Bush regime off the table.
And the UK, I believe, live in a glass house, if the Irish are in the conversation...
3
The killing was outrageous, but so many commenters seem as if they don't know that Saudi executions are beheadings by sword carried out in public (after Friday prayers) before hundreds of onlookers. Videos are available everywhere. The condemned are forced to kneel on the ground, no blind fold, having seen the swordsman standing a few feet away.
Saudi Arabia carried out 48 public beheadings in the first four months of this year, half for non-violent crimes, with women as well losing their heads. (https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/apr/26/saudi-arabia-criticised-ov...
This country has been "our best Arab friend" dating back to FDR. Knowing all this, both Bushes, Clinton, Obama and now Trump have all embraced the royal Saudis.
top U.S. universities. Back in 2005, the Saudi gov't gave $20 million each to Harvard and Georgetown (https://abcnews.go.com/International/story?id=1402008).
In the years since, the Saudi govt has pumped tens of millions of dollars into other U.S. universities (https://www.meforum.org/campus-watch/articles/2007/saudis-give-big-to-u-....
I've read no outraged pundits calling on these schools to return the money. Matter of fact, I haven't heard any Harvard denunciations of this horrendous act of murder. Wonder why?
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@Frederick Kiel. Why? Money talks!
1
Journalists everywhere - real journalists, not those who indulge in what Orwell called 'public relations - now have a target on their backs. If the Saudis do not pay a heavy price for this murder, many more journalists will die.
Ms Cengiz, I am sorry for your loss. And for ours.
25
Unfortunate for Ms Cengiz, but the timing of their meeting May 2018 & quick decision to marry is a bit suspicious. Qahtani and several others have been trying to lure Khashoggi to Saudi since past several months, offering protection, top Govt jobs etc., It is also in the public domain that MBS put up the so called directive to lure Khashoggi back to Saudi. Whether Cengiz is used to honey trap Khashoggi - because, it seems he never trusted the offers from Riyad. Police protection to Cengiz rises several doubts - Is Riyad trying to assassinate Cengiz 0r Istanbul put Cengiz in a protective custody for being an accessory to the murder of Khashoggi?
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The Trump administration is not doing enough to pressure the Saudis. They do not care about human rights and have
closed their eyes. Mr. Khashoggi was the antithesis of Donald Trump and those in his circle.
8
And then there’s Donald Trump, the President of the United States, doing the jig, laughing, and cajoling with the Saudis, emotionally supported and accompanied by the joy of Mike Pompeo and Jared Kushner.
Oh yes, and don’t forget, add piles of money to the scene.
Think of it. A man just wants to get married. The fiancé waits outside for him to return from a building with a document, and he never comes out to join her. It goes beyond sad. Our heart goes out to Ms. Cengiz. This is unimaginable to those who claim humanity.
But how do we ever apologize for the insensitivity and repulsiveness of those in our own government who we picture in our minds, and rightfully so, smiling with the Saudis?
26
It is inconceivable that some cultures are still prepared to commit such barbaric atrocity after luring a man lured to his death at their own Saudi embassy in Turkey, a constantly unfolding story. Actually it shouldn't be too surprising as they still behead people in the street as onlookers enjoy the spectacle.This was no spur of the moment occasion and only MbS could have sanctioned this diabolical murder being so well orchestrated and Trump doing his best to deflect any comments that could implicate the Royal. Khashoggi's name will be revered, the lamb to the slaughter. RIP
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@Alice Lodge Sadly Australia has it fair share of barbaric atrocity, playing out on Nauru this very day.
1
Two wrongs will never make it right. None of us has a clean slate when it comes to in humane behavior. But the levels of greed, violence, and evil being perpetrated worldwide has to stop. Each of us must try by holding our own leaders accountable. At the moment I am sickened by the actions of the ‘leaders of my country.
I'm sick at heart that Trump, Pompeo and Mnuchin are abetting the cover-up of this murder. We have lost our way as a nation with these criminal actors at the helm.
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Jobs making weapons for the Saudis...real blood money.
30
This is a sad news for mr khashoggi’s family and his fiancée. But wait!!! Can’t Turkish intelligent track the body to wherever it is??
2
Seun, you introduce a good point. To date I have not heard one administration or Congressional voice call for the remains to go to family. Someone knows the location. That action needs to be mandated. This man worked for the Washington Post and lived in the United States. We take care of our own, citizen or not. What if the victim was a white Baptist who worked for the Houston Chronicle, or the LA Times, or the Lexington, Kentucky paper?
10
Constant justification by trump for $110 Billion deal as a reason to look the other way makes it look like everything is for sale in America. Name your price .. pick your target. citizens may cost more .. special charges, if it is brutal. It is indeed the murder of our values and a national shame.
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Not $100B. That’s another Trump lie. It’s more like $4B.
12
This barbaric act is still unbelievable to imagine, rather than believe. But of course, it is true, and I’m beyond sad, I’m enraged. This is the 21st century, not the 7th century, when be heading and dismembering was the norm in Arab countries.
If I, as a total stranger, feel this way, I cannot imagine how his fiancé and family are feeling. I wish the peace.
19
The King just needs to replace the Prince. Quite simple. They have 50 better candidates to choose from.
As for excuses about "rogue operation", these are just as credible as American excuses about CIA torture of prisoners. Both are straight from the top.
29
Does bring to mind Stalin's observation that "The death of one man is a tragedy, the death of millions is a statistic." The Saudi's have been using precision guided munitions in a most imprecise manner to murder thousands of men, women and children in Yemen too a very muted western outcry.
It has taken the, albeit particularly gruesome, murder of Mr Khashoggi to elicit widespread outage. The arms deals that Trump talks about are not producing weapons to kill the Mr Khashoggi's of this world, but rather to render wholesale destruction of a mass enemy.
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I don't understand. If Khashoggi went to the consulate "unannounced" how did the Saudi hit squad know to be waiting for him?
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@Larry Bennett,
His first visit to the consulate on Sept. 28 was unannounced; he was told to come back on Oct. 2.
2
@Larry Bennett Perhaps they didn't allow him to leave? Nobody said they were waiting on him -- he may have had to wait upon them.
1
@Larry Bennett He went unannounced on Sept 28th. And was asked to return on Oct 2nd (day of killing) to retrieve the requested docs. The alleged hit squad was waiting for him on Oct 2nd.
1
The manner in which they lured him in to his death is so horrible.
Unimaginably awful.
So sorry anyone should ever endure such true horror.
And so sorry for the suffering this has cause Mr. Khashoggi's fiancé and loved ones.
Trump is now way beyond over the line - there is no decency whatsoever in our federal government that Trump has not aggressively condemned the perpetrators of this gruesome crime.
50
@Sally - we must remember that Mr. Khashoggi's son still lives in Saudi Arabia. Not necessarily of his own free will. When his father was still alive, the son was not allowed to travel to the US to visit him.
1
Really gruesome murder! How can people commit such a monstrous crime and try to cover it up?
This horrendous act should NOT go unpunished.
32
It is so tragic. If any photos show the tragedy of fate and time it is the security stills showing Mr. Khashoggi about to enter the Consulate. If only he had turned back and decided he did not need those papers. If only the Saudi royals were as greedy for spirituality as they are for power and money. Tomorrow is the day when Erdogan will reveal all he knows about the murder and coverup
28
@Frank Shifreen -- actually, Mr. Erdogan revealed nothing except to say this was a premeditated murder, and to call on Saudi Arabia to extradite the eighteen men so Turkey can bring them to justice, to produce the body. He also hinted that the investigation must include anyone involved from "low to high".
@Don Juan hoped for more- but he was sufficiently angry, insistent, and firm
Blood not only on hands of Prince but also on Trump's as well.
35
This is among the most grotesque acts of murder I've ever read about. Worst than a pathological, demonic serial killer. ...Worse than a "Bourne" movie. ...I understand that Mr. Khashoggi is dead, yet I cannot accept it, believe it.
I approach tears in trying to imagine the depth of grief and pain Ms. Cengiz must be feeling. (May you find safety and peace and comfort somewhere. Please be careful wherever you go.
44
Probably one of the most horrifying incidents perpetrated by a head of State on a citizen of any country. I cannot imagine something like this astounding barbarity even happening in real life, yet it did.
And the Saudi heads of State have a lot to answer. To Ms.Cengiz, and to Americans (not to Trump or his son-in-law, but to Americans who worked with Khashoggi, who was a good man by all accounts).
20
This prince is now stained forever. He has destroyed himself totally. He will never again be welcomed by civilised societies. He is hobbled and it would be best for the Sauds to replace him with another prince who can work to reestablish Saudi crediblity and honor.
46
I’ll admit, first after the touching memorial written and printed here by Ms. Cengiz last week and now this, I’ve been brought to tears. I hate to say this, however, but I still have to drive to work tomorrow and now my mourning commute just got harder knowing I have to stop for gas. Please stop exploiting their romance, it’s so crass.
6
This whole episode is beyond belief.
34
Why did Mr. Khashoggi risk his life, and lose it, by entering that Consulate knowing he was “an enemy of the state “with a price on his head? It makes no sense. Certainly not over some routine paperwork that could have been done in, say, The Washington D.C. Embassy with security!
21
@Moe Def because it's really inconceivable that he could be tortured in a Saudi consultate in Isrtanbul!
21
@Moe Def, when a woman wants something, what are we to say? #MeToo is just the beginning of our end.
1
@Moe Def Indeed, Khashoggi entering the consulate of his homeland was much like Jesus's fateful ride into Jerusalem.
9
My deepest condolences to Ms. Cengiz. I'm so sorry for your loss. I hope that you have friends and family to comfort you, and please know that millions of people support you.
I do not have words for the grief I feel about the terrible death of a man I never met. No words.
87
Truly heartbreaking.
32
Two points.
(1) Jamal underestimated the depths of evil the Crown Prince is capable of. Had he made a correct assessment, he would never have entered that Consulate building.
Had his fiance entered with him, would the killers have backed off? Not a chance, those were desperate killers with a mission. The mission had to be executed. Two planes bearing 15 killers with a bone saw.
(2) Small- and medium-sized nations of the world look to president Trump as leader of the Free World to uphold International Law and Norms. He has all but abdicated his responsibilities and dashed expectations. That in itself is not so bad. Today, Paul Krugman wrote: Trump is acting like a mercenary, bought and paid for by Saudi Arabia. And, this too is not so bad. What is infinitely worse is when a major evangelical leader (no not Billy Graham Jr) says Trump is doing right by the United States. He is protecting jobs. That sounds like a mercenary deal approved by Evangelicals of America.
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Well, this does take the focus off of Erdogan and what HE is doing to journalists.
18
@Lil50, from all that I hear, I guess Erdogan is wringing all that he can out of Saudi-Arabia over this as well. What a shameless matter this has turned into, all coming at the expense of poor Ms. Cengiz. Condolances on so many levels.
9
My heart goes out to Ms. Cengiz not only for the horrifying loss of her future husband, but also for the social media trolls who have attacked her.
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There is no need to be concerned about the Crown Prince and his involvement. As President Trump has said, he could shoot someone on Fifth Avenue and no one would care. It’s just what leaders do.
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@MaccaUS It is what RIGHT-WING leaders do. Law-abiding leaders NEVER chop, shoot, or otherwise abuse their power in such a manner that it garners world-wide derision.
5
The Saudi government’s alleged firing of the eighteen people involved in this brutal and planned assassination of an American citizen means nothing. In a few months they could be given other government jobs. These people need to be charged and prosecuted for murder, if not by the Saudis then by an international court. Anything else is a slap on the wrist.
Trump’s unwillingness to confront the issue and his taking the side of the Saudis is an act of weakness, not the strength he always blusters about. His position is even more despicable when he says he’ll need to think about whether or not to hold the Saudi’s accountable because the US has major financial deals in the making. (The Trump family probably does as well.) I guess Trump believes that Mr. Khashoggi’s life is worth a billion dollars.
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@Greg He was not American citizen. Otherwise why he should go to this place?
@maria He had permanent resident status (held a green-card).
His Fiancée was Turkish; he was there to get a document to show his marital status for Turkish law before marrying her.
3
I am heartbroken for Ms. Cengiz.
Kudos to the Turkish authorities for giving her police protection.
45
No one who can call himself Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques can allow such an atrocity to go unpunished. These barbarians are a disgrace to Islam and humanity.
I want to see justice for Jamal Khashoggi, his fiance, all the political prisoners in Saudi, such as Loujain Hathloul, and the innocent Yemenis who have been bombed and starved. They have crossed the line again and again. Let's push them back once and for all. And let's switch to renewable energy as fast as possible!
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There are no adequate words to describe the perfidy of a so-called prince. The best I can conjure is satanic immorality.
70
Why is it so hard to conjure up the motives of another person in this world without having to fall back on superlatives like devil or satanic? Does it really require so much imagination?
6
The government of Turkey says that it will release the “naked truth” about the murder this Tuesday.
If it is an audio-video evidence of the bone saw expert saying something to the tune of “The Crown Prince sends his warmest regards. Kindly hold out your little finger so we may commence with our little chat,” I wonder how Trump and Kushner and Pompeo will receive it knowing that they have made fools of in the international stage?
“We are the laughingstock of the world. Everyone is laughing at us. Everyone.”
—Donald J. Trump
The 45th President of the United States
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@girlwarrior
I am certain the rest of the world cannot believe the tragic state that has befallen this great country courtesy of the current occupant of the White House. My children were more mature than he when they were under the age of five.
I am just hoping we get out of this alive.
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@Opinioned!
All of which begs the question, how did Turkey obtain audio and video footage inside a foreign embassy?
What are the consequences of of any country breaching the sovereignty of another country in that manner?
Some how I as a United Citizen feel some responsibility for the killing as our values in the world as leader of the free world, less respect for human rights are slowly but surely being eroded. Never has such a thing happened that too in an embassy since the end of Second World War. Can’t rule out anything anymore. Very very sad.
27
@girlwarrior
If you voted for Trump, then you should indeed hold yourself responsible.
41
What unnecessary heartbreak for Ms.Cengiz. She has my deepest sympathy. The Saudis chopped away a part of her heart and soul when they maimed and then decapitated her fiancé.
May she someday have someone else who will love her completely, and help her heal.
79
So MBS now knows that there is more to life than getting handed the keys to a subjugated kingdom, than buying fancy yachts with entitlement money, than pretending to invest $B in US run businesses in order to buy superficial goodwill? Hopefully he does.
Hopefully, he also knows that he is skating on thin ice by buying favors with an impulsive and reckless US president who will either go down in impeachment or in record defeat at the polls.
As for the Republicans : keep trying. Now that we know you support Trump, you support minority bashing, you support subjugation of women, you support voodoo economic policies, you support arms sales to thugs, ... we know where you stand. Thanks for showing us your true colors.
Remember that our country is getting less white, not more. Its getting more diverse, not less. Its empowering more women than men.
Bye bye GOP. May you rest easy in the electoral grave.
139
These pictures are so sad, as they document the last time Mr. Khashoggi and Ms. Cengiz saw one another. What an awful regime the Saudia Arabia is? Recall - 15 of the 18 9/11 terrorists were Saudi's.
207
I'm also wondering if any progress has been made for the return of Mr. Khashoggi's body to his relatives and/or to his fiancee. Since the Saudis have admitted that Khashoggi was killed during his embassy visit (with whatever caveats and lies they want to coverup the murder),then they must admit that they are in possession of the body or know how it was disposed of by those they are holding responsible for the ("accidental," gone "awry," or planned) killing. Any updates on this issue?
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@tdb -- No, the Turkish authorities are still looking for the body. Actually, if I remember correctly, Mr. Erdogan once again demanded the name of the person alleged to be given the body (rolled in a rug).
Ms. Cengiz, as much as any stranger can be, I am with you, and I am so sorry for what happened. May Allah, I hope i have this right, be with you.
106
Perfect opportunity for the God-fearing, hyper-moral Republican leadership to demonstrate their pro life values. Forgot. Money, weapons and power at stake, bye bye values.
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I still do not understand why he entered the embassy by himself and why left both cell phones with her. If he was taking precautions it means he was unsure what may be awaiting him. And I thought there was a previous appointment for him, unless the Saudi embassy was supposed to forward the papers to the (Turkish?Islamic?) marriage office and it never did so he had to go at the spur of the moment to pick them up himself only to walk into the trap.
15
@tdb The article says that he visited the consulate on the 28th; that was the previous visit, and it also was the spur of the moment one. The return trip on the 2nd was the appointment.
7
@tdb Maybe he left both cell phones because he was protecting other people whose contact names and numbers were on them. If so, he was selfless to the end.
21
@tdb In all likelihood he nor would most people be allowed to carry cell phones, computers or recording devices into a consulate, normally they are left in a basket until you leave, his might have had sensitive material that he did not want examined as he was applying for his marriage certificate. My only wish now is that Erdogan doesn’t cut a deal with The Saudis, U.S. and Israel to bury the tapes. Turkey is not in the best of shape no doubt the temptation is strong as Erdogan and the rest of the educated world knows just how badly Israel needs a strong Saudi Arabia and Egypt to protect it. We shall see just how committed to truth and fairness Mr. Erdogan is, should he release the unaltered tapes he should get a Nobel Peace Prize, that’s how big this is in the eyes of the world, will truth win out over greed and avarice.
15
Mr. Trump must invite the young prince to the WH and arrest him until he confesses to the world, his role in the disappearance of Mr. Khashoggi. The world will thank Mr. Trump!
21
Lordy, I hope there are Tapes.
Seriously.
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@Phyliss Dalmatian
I hope so, too. Yet I'm also concerned about imvasion of our privacy by Cameras Everywhere. For instance, if you put a picture of your face on Facebook and Friends, stores can eventually use their cameras to see you come in the store, recognize you, then watch what aisles you go to and where you spend time looking.
What's a good balance? I don't know. But I do know that, in this heinous crime, the surveillance videos have been indispensable.
8
@Phyliss Dalmatian If tapes available, it is to scary to see them!
1
@Phyliss Dalmatian
While the tapes have been referenced enough by the Turkish government, the reason they haven't been released is most likely because of ongoing negotiations between Mr. Erdogan of Turkey and Prince Mohammed. If Erdogan gets what he wants from Saudi Arabia, the tapes may never see the light of day. Everything is political, even murder.
1
I am beginning to believe the people who roam NYC streets with play cards saying ‘ The end is near ‘.
85
Frightening, they were right on his tail and Hatice escaped the same fate by not accompanying him into the Consul building. She is now guarded due to social media threats. My deepest sympathy goes to her and their families. The world has lost a true light in the darkness.
170
It seems someone in Turkish media circles isn’t paying attention - or there’s been a transition glitch somewhere.
The Turkish government has said since Day 2 of the incident that Khashoggi was making his second trip to the embassy, a day after being told to return at a given time to pick up the paperwork.
Or, are these particular photos from his first trip?
8
@Eatoin Shrdlu
Not a day after being told to return. He first went September 28 (as this article mentions), then was told to return, which he did on October 2 after making his trip to London. All the photos are time-stamped.
30
Considering that the local medical examiner "happened" to be there, it would seem like they knew he was coming to the Consulate. Did he have a pre-arranged appointment there? Who knew that he was coming so that they could send notice to the others who allegedly were there to question/murder/dismember him?
Also, how does anyone know he was actaully dismembers with a bone saw? What evidence has been cited to support the bone saw / dismemberment hypothesis?
5
@Tony
Since when is a Saudi autopsy specialist considered a to be "local" medical examiner?
The rest of your comment is based as well on "alternative" facts.
34
@Tony Maybe I misread the article, but it seemed to suggest Mr. Kashoggi went to the consulate unannounced. If that was in fact the case, how did this hit squad, including guy with bone saw, know it was time to charter plane to fly to Istanbul? Is very confusing, as seems to undermine argument this was premeditated murder.
1
@ellienyc - It seems he had an appointment. He was told to return at a specific time to pick up paperwork.
3
Wondering what happened to Ms. Cengiz when he failed to reappear after entering the building, and also in the days and now weeks after his murder.
15
@C Hannon She was put under police protection.
https://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2018/10/21/world/europe/21reuters-saudi-...
8
Our values define us. What we state and what we do define 'us', the United States.
47
@Greg Sadly, Trump's values are defining us, the United States.
30
Greg@T
This fiasco we know because Mr. Khashoggi was known to us. I wonder what they do to their own citizens who have no witness and no voice. Is this what Islam teaches or is this Saudi version of this peaceful religion? Where are the Islamic leaders who should at least voice their opinion against Saudi Islam.
23
@Greg What values? A large minority of the USA voted a racist misogynist fascist into office, and a majority of the Senate and House, almost the entire Republican members of government, support his agenda to dismantle whatever is left of American democracy in furtherance of minority-rule, plutocratic white fascism.
38