Murder of Saudi journalist remains a mystery
Like the majority of the world, I heard the name Jamal Khashoggi (I always tend to say and type Cemal Kasikci due to his Turkish sounding name) on the day he did not get out of the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul per his fiancee's statement. Based on the global reaction, it became evident that this Washington Post columnist was much more prominent in the Western world than he was in Turkey. It seems he was an influential political dissident in his home country more than a journalist. As in similar cases of dissidents from anti-democratic countries, he had to force himself into exile in the US until he met and engaged a much younger Turkish woman named Hatice Cengiz.
When I heard his disappearance on October 2, 2018 I found myself asking 'why did he even enter the Consulate building as a renown dissident?' As a Turkish journalist in exile, after the abductions of Turkish citizens by the government of Turkey in some third world countries, I do not even consider going to a consulate in a Western country. How would a much more experienced Kasikci trust such a brutal regime? According to his fiancee's statements on Haberturk TV last week, when he was welcomed the first time at the Consulate, he agreed to make an appointment for Oct 2 to collect his divorce papers. Yet, I am still not convinced. What made Kasikci trust a rouge regime enough to go to the Consulate in the first place? Did he receive any assurances from the Turkish government?
After the Saudis dared to make a dissident disappear in their Consulate in the heart of Istanbul, I could not help, but think that in a million years they could not attempt such an unlawful act in a democratic country, but they felt free to do it in Turkey which is already the largest jailer of journalists. I thought it was a matter of comfort and impunity, but apparently I am a bit naive. Exiled academic and columnist Emre Uslu, who is among the most hated critics of the regime in Turkey, underlines an important point nobody really discusses. Few months ago, Saudis accepted the extradition request by Erdogan of people linked to Gulen movement, Erdogan's arch enemy, from Saudi Arabia. In return, they might have asked for a prominent Saudi dissident. In short, Uslu claims that such an abduction could not have been made possible without the knowledge of the Turkish intelligence.
Kasikci's murder become evident and then even confessed by the Saudis following the leaks of Turkish authorities to the Western media. Initially, the government's, i.e. Erdogan's, reaction was strong. Even though the Saudis who were involved in the killing were allowed to leave Turkey, Erdogan asked for their return. But lately, there is an awkward silence about the case both in the US and in Turkey. Could it be a coincidence that Turkey's pro-government media stopped reporting on the murder following CIA chief's visit to Turkey? Today, the Turkish prosecutor stated the obvious. That Kasikci was a victim of a brutal murder as soon as he entered the Consulate in Istanbul. Is it known because of the 'tapes' that were mentioned in the initial remarks by the Turkish officials? Turkey reportedly shared those voice recordings with the US, but the public is still in the dark.
Given the fact that both Turkish and US officials became more and more silent on Kasikci's brutal murder, this issue seems to remain a mystery. As usual, the 'higher' interests of the states triumph the life of an innocent dissident and journalist.
When I heard his disappearance on October 2, 2018 I found myself asking 'why did he even enter the Consulate building as a renown dissident?' As a Turkish journalist in exile, after the abductions of Turkish citizens by the government of Turkey in some third world countries, I do not even consider going to a consulate in a Western country. How would a much more experienced Kasikci trust such a brutal regime? According to his fiancee's statements on Haberturk TV last week, when he was welcomed the first time at the Consulate, he agreed to make an appointment for Oct 2 to collect his divorce papers. Yet, I am still not convinced. What made Kasikci trust a rouge regime enough to go to the Consulate in the first place? Did he receive any assurances from the Turkish government?
After the Saudis dared to make a dissident disappear in their Consulate in the heart of Istanbul, I could not help, but think that in a million years they could not attempt such an unlawful act in a democratic country, but they felt free to do it in Turkey which is already the largest jailer of journalists. I thought it was a matter of comfort and impunity, but apparently I am a bit naive. Exiled academic and columnist Emre Uslu, who is among the most hated critics of the regime in Turkey, underlines an important point nobody really discusses. Few months ago, Saudis accepted the extradition request by Erdogan of people linked to Gulen movement, Erdogan's arch enemy, from Saudi Arabia. In return, they might have asked for a prominent Saudi dissident. In short, Uslu claims that such an abduction could not have been made possible without the knowledge of the Turkish intelligence.
Kasikci's murder become evident and then even confessed by the Saudis following the leaks of Turkish authorities to the Western media. Initially, the government's, i.e. Erdogan's, reaction was strong. Even though the Saudis who were involved in the killing were allowed to leave Turkey, Erdogan asked for their return. But lately, there is an awkward silence about the case both in the US and in Turkey. Could it be a coincidence that Turkey's pro-government media stopped reporting on the murder following CIA chief's visit to Turkey? Today, the Turkish prosecutor stated the obvious. That Kasikci was a victim of a brutal murder as soon as he entered the Consulate in Istanbul. Is it known because of the 'tapes' that were mentioned in the initial remarks by the Turkish officials? Turkey reportedly shared those voice recordings with the US, but the public is still in the dark.
Given the fact that both Turkish and US officials became more and more silent on Kasikci's brutal murder, this issue seems to remain a mystery. As usual, the 'higher' interests of the states triumph the life of an innocent dissident and journalist.
Comments
Post a Comment