Daijiworld Media Network – Washington
Washington, Nov 19: Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, has once again urged Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to apologise and compensate her for her husband’s killing, days after the Saudi leader termed the 2018 murder a “huge mistake”.
In a strongly worded post on X, Hanan said there was “no justification” for the brutal killing of her husband inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul—a murder that sparked global outrage and severely strained Washington–Riyadh relations. She emphasised that Crown Prince Mohammed should meet her personally and offer an unconditional apology.
“There is no justification to murder my husband. While Jamal was a good, transparent and brave man, many may not have agreed with his opinions and his desire for freedom of the press,” she wrote, tagging US President Donald Trump. “The Crown Prince said he was sorry, so he should meet me, apologise and compensate me for the murder of my husband, Jamal Khashoggi.”
Hanan’s remarks came after President Trump hosted the Crown Prince with full honours in Washington—his first US visit since Khashoggi’s killing. She earlier revealed that she had written to Trump seeking his support in securing a financial settlement from the Saudi ruler.
Speaking to CNN, Hanan said it was “very painful” to watch Prince Mohammed being received “like a head of state”, adding that life would have been very different had Jamal still been alive. “It will be better if Jamal were here… to meet the crown prince and share his ideas and vision,” she said.
She described how her husband had hoped for dialogue with the Saudi leadership before his death. “Jamal was waiting for an invitation from the crown prince and wished to be heard. He had good ideas for his country,” she added.
Highlighting the devastating impact of the assassination, Hanan said the killing had “destroyed” her life and urged Washington not to overlook American values of human rights and democracy while fostering ties with Riyadh. She asserted that despite diplomatic engagements, “there is something missing”—true justice.
Jamal Khashoggi, a US resident and critic of the Saudi regime, was murdered and dismembered inside the Istanbul consulate in October 2018. US intelligence agencies later assessed that Prince Mohammed had approved the operation—an allegation Saudi authorities continue to deny.
A Saudi court convicted eight individuals in a closed-door trial, sentencing five to death and three to jail terms. The death sentences were later commuted. The whereabouts of Khashoggi’s remains remain unknown to this day.