Humairaa Mayet | 26 June 2019 | Image: Al Jazeera
A 100 page report released by Agnes Callamard, UN extra-judicial executions investigator, has brought to the fore credible evidence incriminating Mohammed bin Salman – the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia – in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. “There is little doubt in my mind that the killing was premediated; it was planned,” stated Callamard.
Brooks Spectre, US foreign policy expert and editor at the Daily Maverick, spoke to Inayet Wadee about the aftermath of the UN report and the events likely to take place in its wake.
The incredibly detailed report expands on the contents of an audiotape obtained from the Turkish government, containing the conversations held moments before the murder, as well as the sounds of struggle as the murder occurred. The tape includes a forensic pathologist explaining how to dismember and dispose of a body, and a special team planning the murder with a “chilling intensity,” stated Spectre.
While the report claims that MBS was not present at the scene of the murder; and therefore not directly involved; it insinuates that the killing of Khashoggi had to have been approved by MBS.
Saudi Arabia has allegedly been holding secret trials for the 11 individuals involved in the murder of Khashoggi. However, the verdicts issued and evidence used is not public knowledge. Spectre stated that it is likely that the Saudi Arabian government is using these secret trials as an opportunity to erase the ties linking MBS to Khashoggi’s murder.
Furthermore, other scandals such as the weapons trade are likely to distract the international community from the killing of Khashoggi.
US president, Donald , has claimed that he believes that MBS is not involved. This is due to the fact that Trump and the US have vested economic interests in KSA surrounding the trade of oil and weapons.
The UN lacks power and sovereignty in the Kingdom, stated Spectre. The organisation may attempt to implement sanctions against Saudi Arabia, yet their lack of enforcement mechanisms is likely to result in the failure of these sanctions as many countries depend on KSA for oil. NGOs such as Amnesty International are calling for independent investigations.
“This report is probably as much as you’re going to get,” said Brooks.
