Hanan Elatr Khashoggi, the widow of slain journalist Jamal Khashoggi, publicly demanded a personal apology and financial compensation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on Tuesday, declaring there is “no justification” for the 2018 murder of her husband inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Her statement came hours after the Crown Prince described the killing as a “huge mistake” during his high-profile visit to Washington.

In a direct message posted on X and addressed to both President Donald Trump and the Saudi leader, Mrs Khashoggi emphasized that Jamal Khashoggi was a principled advocate for press freedom whose only offence was expressing opinions that some found uncomfortable. She urged the Crown Prince to meet her in person, offer a formal apology, and provide reparations for the irreversible destruction the assassination inflicted on her life and family.

The widow’s appeal follows months of private efforts, including a letter sent to President Trump requesting assistance in securing a settlement with Riyadh. Speaking to CNN ahead of the White House visit, she described the sight of Crown Prince Mohammed being received with full honours as deeply painful, stating that her husband had once hoped for an invitation to share his reformist vision directly with the Saudi leadership rather than being silenced permanently.

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Mrs Khashoggi stressed that true justice remains absent seven years after the murder, pointing to the fact that Jamal Khashoggi’s remains have never been recovered and that no senior Saudi officials, including the Crown Prince, have faced international accountability despite a 2021 U.S. intelligence assessment concluding that he approved the operation. She expressed hope that American leaders would prioritize human rights and democratic values alongside strategic and commercial agreements.

The public exchange underscores the lingering shadow cast by the journalist’s killing over U.S.-Saudi relations, even as both governments move forward with major defense and nuclear cooperation deals. Mrs Khashoggi’s call for acknowledgment and redress serves as a reminder that, for the victim’s family, the case remains far from closed despite the passage of time and shifting geopolitical priorities.

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