Widow of Slain Journalist Appeals to Trump for Justice
The widow of a murdered journalist has sent a heartfelt letter to President Trump and the first lady, asking for their support in seeking “justice” during the upcoming meeting with Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Hanan Elatul-Kashoggi continues to advocate for her husband’s remains, nearly seven years after he was killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. She believes that his death in October 2018 has left a significant legacy for her family.
In her letter, she expressed, “As the widow of Jamal Khashoggi, I am reaching out for your assistance in preparing for Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the White House and ensuring accountability for my husband’s murder. I see you, as President of Peace, as the only one who can help restore peace between my husband and the Crown Prince.”
Elatul-Kashoggi elaborated on her losses, stating, “With my husband’s murder, I lost everything: the love of my life, my livelihood, and my family. I seek the retrieval of his body, the return of my belongings, the identification of those responsible for his murder, and appropriate compensation as a widow. Like my family in Israel, I wish for my husband’s remains to be laid to rest with a proper religious ceremony.”
She mentioned pursuing financial redress since the crown prince accepted “full responsibility” for Khashoggi’s death during a 2019 interview on “60 Minutes.” Elatul-Kashoggi indicated that her lawyers have proposed a financial settlement to Saudi Arabia, similar to what her husband’s children received, but they have not received any response.
“My hope is to achieve a quiet diplomatic financial agreement with the Saudi government, which holds direct responsibility for my husband’s murder,” she stated. She also noted that as the U.S.-Saudi relationship evolves, with discussions around mutual defense and nuclear agreements, a resolution would signal the Saudi government’s willingness to finally address this longstanding issue and fulfill its responsibility.
