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In Last Words, Khashoggi Asked Killers Not to Suffocate Him
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 6 years ago on
September 10, 2019

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ANKARA, Turkey โ€” In his final words, slain Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged his killers not to cover his mouth because he suffered from asthma and could suffocate, according to Turkeyโ€™s Sabah newspaper.
Sabah newspaper, which is close to Turkeyโ€™s government, published new details of a recording of Khashoggiโ€™s conversation with members of a Saudi hit squad sent to kill him. The paper says the recording of Khashoggiโ€™s grisly Oct. 2, 2018 killing and reported dismemberment at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul was obtained by Turkeyโ€™s intelligence agency.
According to the transcript, Maher Mutreb, a member of the Saudi hit squad, tells Khashoggi that he has to be taken back to Riyadh because of an Interpol order against him. The journalist objects, saying there is no legal case against him and that his fiancee is waiting for him outside.
Mutreb and another man are also heard trying to force Khashoggi to send his son a message telling him not to worry if he doesnโ€™t hear from him, according to the paper. Khashoggi resists saying: โ€œI will write nothing.โ€
Mutreb is later heard saying: โ€œHelp us, so that we can help you. Because in the end, we will take you to Saudi Arabia. And if you donโ€™t help us, you know what will happen in the end.โ€
Sabah also published Khashoggiโ€™s last words before he was apparently drugged and lost consciousness.

Saudi Arabia Has Put 11 People on Trial in Non-Public Proceedings

โ€œDonโ€™t cover my mouth,โ€ he told his killers, according to Sabah. โ€œI have asthma, donโ€™t do it. Youโ€™ll suffocate me.โ€
Some of the details of the transcript published by Sabah were already in a searing United Nations report over Khashoggiโ€™s killing that had been released in June. The U.N. report alleged that Saudi Arabia bears responsibility for the killing and said Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salmanโ€™s possible role in the killing should be examined.

โ€œDonโ€™t cover my mouth. I have asthma, donโ€™t do it. Youโ€™ll suffocate me.โ€ โ€” Jamal Khashoggi
Saudi Arabia initially offered multiple, shifting accounts about Khashoggiโ€™s disappearance. As international pressure mounted, the kingdom eventually settled on the explanation that he was killed by rogue officials in a brawl inside their consulate.
The kingdom has put 11 people on trial in non-public proceedings. The 33-year-old prince, who continues to have the support of his father, King Salman, denies any involvement in the slaying.
Khashoggiโ€™s remains have never been found.
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