Why is Saudi Arabia killing a journalist such a big issue

In My Humble Opinion
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I wonder if they will really execute them or if this is just judicial theater.

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My guess is judicial theater.

Remember:

Killing a snap decision? Not when you purposely bring a bone saw along.

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Sounds like they’re just killing scapegoats. It might be harder to hire murderers in the future.

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Are you kidding? Sure, they’ll kill them publicly and with great fanfare. These people are disposable, regarded less than a used Kleenex by the regime. Make a claim of ‘Justice Served’ and back to business as usual. Nothing to see here…

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I’m wondering if they are really agents, or guys already slated for death and given promises that their families will be well provided for. Maybe they grabbed some guys off the street. “I didn’t do it! I was kidnapped off the street!” “Sure guy, do you think anyone will believe that?”

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They’re probably other journalists critical of the regime. They can tie up all kinds of loose ends now!

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They can behead two birds with one sword!

They may be able to pacify the criticism from the West. And if these guys know which of the higher-ups and members of the royal family were involved, they are not going to be able to tell any tales.

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Two editorials in The Washington Post:

The Khashoggi verdict is exactly what impunity looks like. It must be denounced, Agnes Callamard, Dec. 23, 2019.

Saudi Arabia’s Khashoggi verdict is a mockery of justice, WaPo Editorial Board, Dec. 23, 2019.

TL;DR: They convicted the low-level hit men who did the job. They ignored (ETA: or white-washed) the higher-ups who ordered it.
They put the blame on the hit men, arguing that their assignment was only to kidnap Khashoggi not to kill him. They are claiming the killing was accidental :dubious: or that the hit men went rogue. Like, kidnappers always bring a bone-saw with them.

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I picture in my mind Tom Hagen walking around the prison yard with these guys. He points out that they’re families will be taken care (in a good way) if they go along with the mock trail. Which implies that their families will be taken care of (in a bad way) if they don’t.

Perhaps reinforced by bringing a poor peasant brother or two to sit in on the trial.

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Cross-posted this in another Khashoggi thread, but consider it so mind-blowing that I had to post it here as well:

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia himself hacked Jeff Bezos’ phone while Whatsapping with Bezos.

Yes, that is right: the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia personally hacked the phone of the world’s richest person, a man who owns the Washington Post, and, within months:

  1. Sent the pictures to AMI to extort Bezos
  2. Killed Khashoggi

Jeff Bezos hack: Amazon boss's phone 'hacked by Saudi crown prince' | Jeff Bezos | The Guardian?

Commentary:

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There’s no proof MBS personally did this. His account being used is novel. There’s no reason to believe MBS is a leet haxxor.

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How do hack via WhatsApp? Is it via a link that you hope the person will click on?

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Probably this?

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Sure there’s reason… didn’t you read the article?

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Updating this thread:

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Shocker. I’m sure they were in no way cajoled or coerced into this by the government that “totally did not sanction” the murder.

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Khashoggi children have received houses in Saudi Arabia and monthly payments as compensation for killing of father - Washington Post

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And that is why money is the root of all evil.

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Updating this thread, the question may have occurred to some of you as to where Khashoggi’s killers were trained:

The United States, naturally–for some of them:

[or if the above is paywalled for you:]