Jamal Khashoggi: Brutal Killing Of A Saudi Journalist In Turkey?

The Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi had a completely different life only a few years ago. He had a life. Khashoggi was a prominent figure in the Saudi media and a cousin of the late billionaire arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. He himself, his friends and colleagues state that he cannot be counted as a "dissident". At the end of the day, Khashoggi has not opposed the monarchy, or advocated for regime change. Neither did he call for the ousting or replacement of Mohammed bin Salman, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, and architect of Saudi Arabia’s attempt to introduce greater social and economic reforms. Bin Salman is also yet another architect of Saudi Arabia's crackdown on political freedom.

It is now alleged that a squad of 15 men from Saudi Arabia arrived from Riyadh, the Saudi capital, and killed Khashoggi. Turkish officials believe that Khashoggi was killed inside the consulate.

BBC Newshour released one of the last recordings of Khashoggi, with the following statement: 

Three days before he disappeared, Jamal Khashoggi was in London for a conference and came into the Newshour studio for an interview.

Before beginning the scheduled recording about the Middle East Peace process, we asked him whether he thought he could return to Saudi Arabia. We wouldn't normally broadcast an off-air conversation, but we've decided to make an exception, in light of the current circumstances.

This is yet another source of controversy: did the BBC have the right to release this recording as it is still not confirmed that he really died? Does this recording place him in further danger if he is abducted? These questions remain and malinger.

We do know that Khashoggi is missing. And just as the news of his alleged murder came to light, female journalist Viktoria Marinova was brutally killed in Bulgaria: What is clear is that these are very dark times for journalists.