WaPo Editor on Khashoggi: People Looking to the US to Do the Right Thing, Not ‘Coddle Brutal Regimes’

WaPo Editor on Khashoggi: People Looking to the US to Do the Right Thing, Not ‘Coddle Brutal Regimes’ (Mediaite)

Washington Post editor Karen Attiah got emotional on the air on Friday while talking about the alleged torture and murder of her colleague Jamal Khashoggi.

Khashoggi entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 and has not been seen since. Turkish authorities claim that they have video and audio evidence that the reporter was beaten, interrogated and murdered once inside.

Speaking of Khashoggi’s possible fate on CNN, WaPo‘s Global Opinions editor said “it’s devastating.”

“Especially if he was tortured, he didn’t deserve this,” she said, holding back tears.

Attiah also stressed that she does not buy the claims that Saudi Arabia is not to blame.

“It just all paints a picture of, right now, of Saudi culpability,” she said. “The Saudis have not provided any evidence whatsoever that backs up their claims and their denials.”

Calling him “not the type of writer who wanted to be a revolutionary,” Attiah also said Khashoggi was actually close to the Crown Prince and warned the Trump administration is sending the wrong message especially by not pulling out of Saudi conference.

“Right now, everyone is watching,” Attiah stressed. “Millions around the world are watching, and millions are placing their hope in the United States to do the right thing, and to not coddle brutal regimes that would murder a man who just wanted to go and get married.”