Son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi says family forgives killers

A tweet from the son of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi says his family has forgiven his killers.

A vigil for Jamal Khashoggi.

A vigil for Jamal Khashoggi. Source: AAP

The family of slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi have forgiven those who murdered their father, his son Salah has written in a tweet.

"In this blessed night of the blessed month (of Ramadan) we remember God's saying: If a person forgives and makes reconciliation, his reward is due from Allah," he wrote.

"Therefore, we the sons of the Martyr Jamal Khashoggi announce that we pardon those who killed our father, seeking reward God almighty
Mr Khashoggi was last seen at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, where he had gone to obtain documents for his impending wedding.

His body was reportedly dismembered and removed from the building, and his remains have not been found.

The murder caused a global uproar and tarnishing the reputation of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, with some Western governments, as well as the CIA, alleging he had ordered the killing.
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi
Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi speaks during a press conference before his murder. Source: AP
Saudi officials have denied they had any roll in the murder, although in September 2019 Salman indicated some personal accountability and regret decreeing "it happened under my watch".

Saudi Arabia sentenced five people to death and three to jail over the murder of Mr Khashoggi last December.

The suspects had been put on trial in secretive proceedings in the capital Riyadh, trials which were condemned by the United Nations and rights groups.
UN special rapporteur for extrajudicial summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, accused Saudi Arabia of making a "mockery" of justice by allowing the masterminds of the 2018 killing to go free.

However, Salah Khashoggi said of the December verdict that "it has been fair to us and that justice has been achieved."


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Published 22 May 2020 3:23pm
Source: Reuters, SBS


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