A report by CNN claims that they have gained access to over 400 private messages sent between Jamal Khashoggi and Saudi exile Omar Abdulaziz. In the messages, Khashoggi discusses his plans to create a youth movement in cyber-space to combat the Saudi Crown Prince to try to kill his support through online propaganda. These conversations took place just two months before Mr. Khashoggi’s murder. Following the revelation, the NSO Group sold mobile spyware to Saudi Arabia. This is raising questions about if these messages were the reason that Jamal Khashoggi was killed. Saudi Arabia has been making a number of moves lately to heavily sensor online activism and free speech within Saudi Arabia.
Analyst Notes
Unfortunately for Saudi Arabia, this most recent revelation will likely only serve to strengthen support for Anonymous’ operations OpJamalKhashoggi and OpSaudi, and possibly weaken the support base for Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
