A Saudi doctor allegedly supervising the beheading and dismemberment of a dissident journalist prescribed music to sooth the nerves of witnesses.
According to a New York Times report, the doctor made the suggestion just before he and a team of Saudi agents went to work on Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi in the Turkish embassy.
Jamal Khashoggi contributed to The Washington Post. MOHAMMED AL-SHAIKH/AFP/Getty Images and PAUL J. RICHARDS/AFP/Getty Images
A senior Turkish official told the Times about the ordeal that is apparently preserved on an audio recording. The report has not been independently confirmed by any other news organization including The Daily Caller. (RELATED: Multiple Suspects I n Alleged Murder Of Khashoggi Have Links To Crown Prince)
The anonymous source told the Times that Saudi agents murdered Khashoggi soon after the journalist entered the Turkish embassy to secure documentation for his anticipated marriage.
According to the report, about 15 Saudi agents descended on Khashoggi, beating and torturing him before cutting off his fingers. The source said he wasn’t sure if the victim was dead or not when his fingers were removed.
FILE PHOTO: A demonstrator holds picture of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi during a protest in front of Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, October 5, 2018. REUTERS/Osman Orsal
The Saudi consul is said to have tried to intervene in the alleged assassination — not to stop it but to do it someplace else. “Do this outside. You will put me in trouble,” he is quoted as telling the agents. (RELATED: Turks Claim Audio Recording Proves Khashoggi Was Tortured, Killed And Cut To Pieces In Saudi Consul’s Office)
He was reportedly told to mind his own business: “If you want to live when you come back to Arabia, shut up.”
President Donald Trump says he is prepared to wait for the Saudis to conclude a “complete investigation into the matter.” On Tuesday he tweeted, “Just spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia who totally denied any knowledge of what took place in their Turkish Consulate.”
U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo meets with the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman during his visits in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, October 16, 2018. REUTERS/Leah Millis/Pool.
“He was with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during the call, and told me that he has already started, and will rapidly expand, a full and complete investigation into the matter.”
