Full Breakdown
The Murder of Jamal Khashoggi: A Chilling Account
11/19/2025, 10:56:36 PM
Overview of the Incident
On October 2, 2018, journalist Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, to collect documents for his upcoming wedding. He was never seen alive again. Khashoggi was murdered inside the consulate, and it is believed that his body was dismembered using a bone saw. Turkish officials discovered evidence of the brutal slaying, which they determined had been tampered with, and his body has never been recovered.
The Sequence of Events
Initially, the Saudi government provided conflicting accounts regarding Khashoggi's fate. They first claimed he had left the consulate unharmed, later alleging he died during a fistfight. However, evidence soon pointed to a more sinister reality. In October 2018, Saudi Attorney General Shaikh Suood bin Abdullah Al Mo’jab stated that the murder was "premeditated." The CIA later concluded that the assassination was ordered by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, a vocal critic of Khashoggi.
The Final Moments
Reports indicate that Khashoggi's final moments were recorded, revealing a gruesome murder that lasted approximately seven minutes. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed to have listened to the audio, which allegedly captured Khashoggi's desperate pleas, including him saying "I can't breathe" multiple times. Eyewitness accounts describe the chilling laughter of the assassins and the presence of a forensics expert instructing others to listen to music while dismembering Khashoggi's body.
Official Responses and Investigations
In June 2019, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights published a report holding the State of Saudi Arabia responsible for Khashoggi's "premeditated extrajudicial execution." Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has consistently denied having prior knowledge of the murder but acknowledged some responsibility, stating, "It happened under my watch. I get all the responsibility."
Criticism and Opposition
The murder has drawn widespread condemnation and calls for accountability. Agnes Callamard, a UN investigator, has urged for a thorough investigation into the Crown Prince's involvement. Critics argue that the lack of accountability for such a high-profile murder undermines international human rights standards.
The Disappearance of the Body
The whereabouts of Khashoggi's remains remain a mystery. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has stated that "no one knows" what happened to the body. Speculations have arisen, with some suggesting that Khashoggi's remains were dissolved after dismemberment to eliminate any trace of the crime.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It was premeditated murder. It can be heard how the forensics expert instructs the others: they should listen to music while he cuts up the body. One notices how he enjoys it.” — Mevlut Cavusoglu, Turkish Foreign Minister
- “The horror of listening to somebody's voice, the fear in someone's voice, and that you're listening to something live. It makes a shiver go through your body.” — Baroness Helena Kennedy, British barrister
The murder of Jamal Khashoggi continues to resonate globally, raising critical questions about human rights, accountability, and the role of state actors in extrajudicial killings.
