*WASHINGTON: Jamal Khashoggi’s final words were “I can’t breathe,” CNN saidSunday, citing a source who has read the transcript of an audio tape of thefinal moments before the journalist’s murder.*
The source told the US network the transcript made clear the killing waspremeditated, and suggests several phone calls were made to give briefingson the progress.
CNN said Turkish officials believe those calls were made to top officialsin Riyadh.
Khashoggi, a Saudi contributor to The Washington Post, was killed shortlyafter entering the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul on October 2.
The transcript of the gruesome recording includes descriptions of Khashoggistruggling against his murderers, CNN said, and references sounds of thedissident journalist’s body “being dismembered by a saw.”
The original transcript was prepared by Turkish intelligence services, andCNN said its source read a translation version and was briefed on the probeinto the journalist’s death.
Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister on Sunday meanwhile rejected demands toextradite suspects connected to the murder of Khashoggi as sought byTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
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Erdogan has repeatedly called on Saudi Arabia to hand over suspects in thekilling. According to Turkey, a 15-member Saudi team was sent to Istanbulto kill Khashoggi.
Saudi Arabia, however, holds that it was a “rogue” operation gone wrong –a claim undercut by the reported transcript.
For his part US President Donald Trump has refrained from blaming SaudiCrown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, even though the CIA reportedly concludedthat he ordered the assassination.
The murder has damaged Riyadh’s international reputation and Westerncountries including the United States, France and Canada have placedsanctions on nearly 20 Saudi nationals. APP/AFP
