The fiancée of late Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi has condemned Australian golfing great Greg Norman’s comments about the Saudi regime after he said “we’ve all made mistakes” when asked about the journalist’s murder.
Key points:
- Jamal Khashoggi was killed at the Saudi consulate in Turkey in 2018, his body was never found
- Australian golf great Greg Norman hosts golf events mostly funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund
- Norman drew angry reactions from many for his response when asked about Khashoggi’s murder
A UN special rapporteur and the CIA claimed Khashoggi’s murder was orchestrated by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Former world number one Norman leads a series of Saudi-funded tournaments in England and has come under fire for his comments about the horrific death of Khashoggi on October 2, 2018 at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
“Look, we’ve all made mistakes and you just want to learn from those mistakes and how you can fix them in the future,” Norman, 67, said Wednesday at an event to promote the tournaments.
The Australian noted “the good the country is doing by changing its culture”.
Khashoggi, who had written reviews of bin Salman, had gone to the consulate to collect the necessary documents for his marriage to his Turkish fiancee, Hatice Cengiz, and never came out.
Ms Cengiz told the Telegraph newspaper on Thursday that Norman’s comments were “so hurtful”.
“We should not fall into their wealth and their lies, and lose our morality and our common humanity.
“We should all insist on truth and justice; only then can we look forward with hope and dignity.
Ms Cengiz’s statement was released by her lawyer, Rodney Dixon, the British newspaper reported.
Turkish officials said Khashoggi was killed and dismembered with a bone saw inside the consulate by a team of Saudi agents.
His remains have not been found.
Western intelligence agencies and the US Congress have said an operation of such magnitude could not have taken place without the Crown Prince’s knowledge.
“I haven’t had a personal conversation with MBS, I’ve never met this guy, but at the same time I read that the Saudi government has made its statements and comments on this and wants to go from forward,” Norman said. .
Australian golfer Karrie Webb, who in her youth idolized Norman, took to Twitter to voice her criticism.
“The little girl in me just died well and truly!! Has someone’s childhood hero disappointed them as much as I am now,” Webb tweeted.
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Norman is the CEO of LIV Golf Investments, funded primarily by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
The first LIV Golf Invitational is scheduled for June 9-11 at Centurion Golf Club outside London, with a field of 48 players competing for a $20 million purse over 54 holes.
The winner receives $4 million – golf’s richest prize to date – and the last place finisher receives $120,000.
PA/ABC
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