The audio recording of Jamal Khashoggi, the famed journalist who was mysteriously murdered at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in Turkey has recently hit mainstream media.
According to an intelligence released by the Daily Sabah, a Turkish newspaper, the conversations Khashoggi had at the Instanbul consulate were recorded and this was obtained by the Turkey International Intelligence Organization during investigations.
The people involved in the conversation according to reports include Maher Abdulaziz Mutreb, one of the alleged hit-men and Dr Salah Muhammed Al-Tubaigy, the head of the Forensic Evidence at the Saudi General Security Department.
Based on the audio file, the now late Khashoggi was reportedly greeted by a familiar person until he was suspiciously pulled aside by the arm where he was heard saying “Let me go, what do you think you are doing”.
Some parts of his alleged conversation with Maher Abdulaziz was detailed as follows:
Mutreb: “Please sit. We have to take you back [to Riyadh]. There is an order from Interpol. Interpol demanded you be returned. We are here to take you.
Khashoggi: “There are no lawsuits against me. My fiancée is waiting outside for me.”
Mutreb: Leave a message for your son.
Khashoggi: What should I tell my son?
Mutreb: You will write a message, let’s rehearse; show it to us.
Khashoggi: What should I say, ‘see you soon’?
Anonymous: Cut it Short
Mutreb: You will write something like ‘I’m in Istanbul. Don’t worry if you cannot reach me.’
Khashoggi: I shouldn’t say kidnapped.
Anonymous: Take your jacket off.
Khashoggi: How can such a thing take place at a consulate? I’m not writing anything.
Unidentified hit squad member: Cut it short.
Khashoggi: I’m not writing anything.
Mutreb: Write it, Mr Jamal. Hurry up. Help us so we can help you because in the end we will take you back to Saudi Arabia and if you don’t help us you know what will happen eventually.
Khashoggi: There is a towel here. Will you have me drugged?
Al-Tubaigy: We will put you to sleep.
Khashoggi: do not keep my mouth closed, I have asthma. Do not do it, you will suffocate me.”
Those were the final words Jamal Khashoggi uttered before he passed away.