Khashoggi case .. Riyadh and the shock absorption tactic

The spirit of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi is still flying in Saudi space, as if the novel "Arab Nightmare" by British historian Robert Irwin. A year ago, when Khashoggi was killed and his body was cut off, horrifying events and narratives have fallen.

The strange and frightening events in Khashoggi's case were piling up with a geometric sequence, bringing together the sensible and unreasonable in a battle filled with strange and frightening characters who lived their lives in the alleys of Fatimid Cairo. If the writer of the "Arab Nightmare" were to write the novel Khashoggi's murder, he would stop confused as he searches for an expression similar to that in his novel: "Boxes with boxes", thus reflecting the state of complexity and deliberate confusion of the chapters and events of Khashoggi's tragedy.

The latest events of this era are the revelations of an American documentary that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman acknowledged responsibility for the killing of Khashoggi, because it happened while in power. Contrary to what appears to some to be an important recognition, it will be in the direction of closing this file to achieve justice; this statement is part of a tactic intended to absorb successive blows.

In fact, the Saudi government absorbs the strikes in favor of US President Donald Trump. It does not fear justice institutions, a free press, or public opinion, but at the same time Trump has nothing to fear, not for his direct responsibility for the murder of Khashoggi, but for accusing him of repudiation. Responsibility to put pressure on Riyadh to hold accountable those responsible for the crime that shook the world conscience.

About a year ago, as the pressure on the Saudi government intensified, the Saudi Public Prosecution issued a statement demanding the execution of people with their own eyes as the only ones involved in the crime. Over time, it turned out that the attempt came in the context of the shock-absorbing tactics. The statement said that a criminal case was filed against the defendants with a demand for the execution of those who participated in the execution of the crime, and the number of them;

The Trump administration received the Saudi prosecutor's statement with joy, and the State Department considered the statement a "good first step" in the "right way", and Washington called on the Saudi authorities to proceed with their investigation. In an effort to reassure the American conscience, the US Treasury announced sanctions against 17 Saudis for their role in the crime.

As pressure on Riyadh increases due to the pressure Trump faces as US elections approach, and in a new attempt to absorb shocks, the Saudi crown prince first spoke publicly about the crime that took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018.

According to Turkish media; Riyadh sold the consulate building to an unknown buyer for a third of its value, as part of its attempts to erase the effects of the crime weeks before the passage of the first anniversary. Perhaps the embarrassment Trump faces is what the CIA and some Western governments have said that the Saudi crown prince personally ordered the killing of Khashoggi.

The Crown Prince's admission that he is responsible for the crime appears to be important, but the documentary in its sequence showed more intentional ambiguity. When the Saudi crown prince was asked how the murder occurred without knowing it, he replied: "We have 20 million people, we have three million government employees." When asked if the killers had boarded private government planes, his answer was: "I have officials and ministers to follow things up, they are responsible, and they have the power to act."

But it is not known whether this latest absorption attempt is enough for Trump to go ahead with his re-election project. US Senator Angus King said nearly three weeks ago that the Saudi crown prince should take a level of responsibility for Khashoggi's death, whether it be I gave orders on him or not.

Riyadh's problem is that it initially offered conflicting interpretations, and then admitted that Khashoggi was killed and his body cut off inside the consulate after negotiations with him failed to persuade him to return to Saudi Arabia.

We cannot say that the American conscience can be complicit or condone the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, which was an earthquake that shook the whole world conscience. But what can be said - without hesitation - is that the US administration - represented by President Donald Trump and his team - is embroiled to the toe in attempts to distract from the real culprit.

In this context; a judge in a court in New York federal agencies of the United States to hand over all documents in its possession on the killing of Khashoggi at the consulate of his country. The Washington Post accuses Trump of refusing to hold the Saudi regime accountable, especially the crown prince.

Previously, the Trump administration had tried to pressure Saudi Arabia to show significant progress on holding those responsible for Khashoggi's murder to account, at the latest before the first anniversary of his death.

Perhaps the mysterious recognition made by the Saudi Crown Prince due to the increasing pressure of the Trump administration, which has not been able to answer many questions and inquiries, from the moment of the statement of the Saudi Prosecution, which showed blatantly the extent of confusion in the Saudi government.

The statement did not name persons accused of killing Khashoggi, although it was presumed to be a legal statement issued by the state prosecutor. The non-designation had an opportunity to identify the names later according to the circumstances and paths of the crisis, waiting for an exit made by international intersections and the desire of the current US administration in particular.

In the context of criticism of the statement of the Saudi Prosecution; Turkish Foreign Minister's comment on the statement of the Saudi Public Prosecution saying: "They say that this person was killed because he resisted, while the crime was planned in advance." "Once again, they say he has been dismembered. But it was not an act of spontaneity. The necessary people and equipment were brought in advance to kill him and cut him later."