Missing journalist might have killed because he knew about royal family’s corruption: Friend of Jamal Khashoggi

Washington: One of the friends of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi claimed that the later may have been murdered because he knew too much about the Saudi royal family. Political scientist Asiem El Difraoui said Khashoggi may have had inside knowledge about corruption, internal politics and links to extremism in the royal family.

The journalist has not been seen since October 2. Turkey claims that Khashoggi was killed while visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Authorities in Istanbul reported having obtained audio and video recordings of the alleged murder.

Saying that Khashoggi’s journalistic activities might not be the only reason for killing, Mr El Difraoui said his links to the country’s spy agency may have given him too much information.

Daily Mail has quoted El Difraoui as saying, ‘the Saudis own half of the international Arabic media. As a journalist and activist Khashoggi may have been uncomfortable for them, but not a real threat. ‘But Khashoggi knew a lot. He was trusted with the most delicate issues in the kingdom and he was a member of the super-elite – he may have known too much.’

He said Khashoggi might have known about, corruption, possible connections to extremism and ‘the internal disputes and wrongdoing of the royal house’.