TEHRAN (FNA)- Yusuf Erim, Political Analyst, says Saudi court ruling on Khashoggi’s case will “in no way satisfy the global community”, prompting stronger international criticism against Saudi Royal family.
In an exclusive interview with FNA, Yusuf Erim said, “Khashoggi’s case was an awakening for many people who were unfamiliar with Saudi Arabia… It has done tremendous damage to the image of the country and MbS.”
“The Saudi court's recent ruling was a "get out of jail free card" for the individuals like Saud al-Qahtani, MbS’s aide, and Ahmed al-Asiri, Deputy Intelligent Chief, who could be considered "superiors" in the assassination plot, while the low-level henchmen were thrown under the bus,” he added.
Yusuf Erim is the Turkey analyst for TRT World. He is the former assistant director of public relations at the Federation of Turkish American Associations in New York. Yusuf also spent 8 years as the head of the English news desk at leading financial data provider Foreks News agency. He has written articles published in Jerusalem Post, TRT World, Daily Sabah and given interviews to France24, Russia Today, i24, Kann TV, eNCA and the Islam Channel.
Below is the full text of the interview:
Q: Do you believe if justice has been served by the Saudi court’s ruling in Khashoggi’s case?
A: Any Saudi court’s decisions which does not hold the chain of command accountable is unacceptable. It is evident from the use of state resources that the high level officials had to sign off on this extra-judicial killing. Unfortunately, the Saudi court's recent ruling was a "get out of jail free card" for the individuals like Saud al-Qahtani, MbS’s aide, and Ahmed al-Asiri, Deputy Intelligent Chief, who could be considered "superiors" in the assassination plot, while the low-level henchmen were thrown under the bus.
The decision also tries to push a narrative that this was an unplanned rogue operation. However, the evidences such as the 15-man assassination team who were dispatched to Turkey ahead of the murder and the presence of an autopsy expert, easily debunk this claim.
Q: For long Khashoggi’s case has had the focus of the world. Why was such an unclear trial held for such a long-awaited case?
A: Saudi Arabia aimed to close the case as soon as possible. The death sentences were issued as an instrument to eliminate witnesses who could yield valuable information if interrogated by independent authorities. The timing of the court’s decision is also ideal from a strategic viewpoint, as much of the western world is celebrating holidays limiting harsh reactions from lawmakers. It was also before a US intelligence's report on who ordered the murder, allowing Saudi Arabia to avoid any potentially damaging findings.
Q: Do you believe the Saudi court ruling can put an end to the international criticism of the Saudi Royal family, particularly the Crown Prince, for Khashoggi’s murder?
A: Khashoggi’s case was an awakening for many people who were unfamiliar with Saudi Arabia. This incident will always be a dark stain on the Kingdom and it has done tremendous damage to the image of the country and MbS. The sentences that have been handed out will in no way satisfy the global community, and international criticism will continue until a transparent judicial trial is conducted. Unfortunately, this will probably never be realized as I highly doubt Saudi Arabia would risk the liability of extraditing suspects to Turkey or another judicial body that has jurisdiction to try the case.
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