The murder of Jamal Khashoggi: what we know now
- 6 years ago
ISTANBUL — Saudi Arabia has finally admitted that Jamal Khashoggi is dead, but have so far given conflicting accounts about what went down.
Fortunately, surveillance footage and Turkish intelligence info have helped piece together what really happened to the Saudi journalist and dissident. Here's what we know now.
The New York Times reports that on October 2, Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul through the front entrance at 1:14 p.m.
According to a person close to Turkish president Erdogan, Khashoggi was attacked within two minutes of entering. He was dead within seven minutes, and dismembered within 22 minutes.
Newly leaked footage now shows that the Saudis employed a body double to put on a fake beard and wear the deceased Khashoggi's clothes as part of a cover-up. Reports suggested that the body double, identified as 57-year-old Mustafa al-Madani, is an intelligence agent, though his main qualification seems to be that he was of similar height, age, and build to Khashoggi.
Madani was captured on camera strolling the streets of Istanbul with an accomplice, but was recognized as an imposter due to his different shoes.
Khashoggi's body, meanwhile, has yet to be found. Saudi officials claim they don't know the location of his remains, only saying it was rolled in a rug before being handed to a local accomplice.
A pro-government Turkish newspaper reported that on the day of the killing, a member of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's entourage made four calls to his office and one to the U.S., adding to speculation that he ordered the act.
Turkish intelligence sources also told Reuters that an influential adviser to the Crown Prince ran the slaughter via Skype, though many believe he may just be taking the fall for his boss.
The Turks supposedly have audio recordings and other evidence of Khashoggi's gruesome end at the hands of his compatriots, but have yet to disclose them.
Fortunately, surveillance footage and Turkish intelligence info have helped piece together what really happened to the Saudi journalist and dissident. Here's what we know now.
The New York Times reports that on October 2, Jamal Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul through the front entrance at 1:14 p.m.
According to a person close to Turkish president Erdogan, Khashoggi was attacked within two minutes of entering. He was dead within seven minutes, and dismembered within 22 minutes.
Newly leaked footage now shows that the Saudis employed a body double to put on a fake beard and wear the deceased Khashoggi's clothes as part of a cover-up. Reports suggested that the body double, identified as 57-year-old Mustafa al-Madani, is an intelligence agent, though his main qualification seems to be that he was of similar height, age, and build to Khashoggi.
Madani was captured on camera strolling the streets of Istanbul with an accomplice, but was recognized as an imposter due to his different shoes.
Khashoggi's body, meanwhile, has yet to be found. Saudi officials claim they don't know the location of his remains, only saying it was rolled in a rug before being handed to a local accomplice.
A pro-government Turkish newspaper reported that on the day of the killing, a member of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's entourage made four calls to his office and one to the U.S., adding to speculation that he ordered the act.
Turkish intelligence sources also told Reuters that an influential adviser to the Crown Prince ran the slaughter via Skype, though many believe he may just be taking the fall for his boss.
The Turks supposedly have audio recordings and other evidence of Khashoggi's gruesome end at the hands of his compatriots, but have yet to disclose them.