France Opens Judicial Investigation into the 2018 Death of Jamal Khashoggi
Introduction
A French judge has been appointed to investigate claims that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was involved in torture and the forced disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.
Main Body
The legal process began in July 2022 during a visit by the Crown Prince to France. Several organizations, including Reporters Without Borders, filed official complaints. Although the National Anti-Terrorism Prosecutor's Office (PNAT) initially disagreed with the claims, the Paris Court of Appeal ruled on May 11 that the complaints could be accepted. This decision is based on the possibility that the events were crimes against humanity, specifically involving torture and enforced disappearance. The investigation focuses on the October 2018 killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a critic of the Saudi government, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. While the Saudi government held a private trial and claimed the responsible people were punished, human rights groups described the process as secretive. Furthermore, U.S. intelligence agencies concluded that the Crown Prince approved the operation. The Crown Prince has denied ordering the killing, although he admitted it happened under his authority. Currently, the PNAT has accepted the court's decision, but it still has its own view on the legal rules regarding the complainants. It is important to emphasize that this inquiry is not a formal charge or a statement of guilt. Instead, it is a preliminary step to decide if there is enough evidence to start a full legal trial.
Conclusion
The French legal system is now reviewing the evidence to determine if the Crown Prince's actions justify a formal prosecution.
Learning
⚡ The Power of "Hedge" Verbs & Nuance
At the A2 level, we usually say things are true or false. But to reach B2, you must express possibility and uncertainty. In legal and professional English, we rarely say "This is a crime"; instead, we say "There is a possibility that it was a crime."
🔍 Spotting the 'Softeners' in the Text
Look at how the article avoids being too direct. This is called hedging. It protects the writer from being wrong.
- "...claims that..." (The writer isn't saying it's a fact, just that someone claims it).
- "...possibility that..." (It might be true, it might not).
- "...decide if there is enough evidence..." (The outcome is not yet certain).
🛠️ Upgrade Your Speech: From A2 to B2
Stop using "maybe" for everything. Use these structures to sound more sophisticated:
| A2 (Simple) | B2 (Nuanced/Professional) |
|---|---|
| Maybe he did it. | There is a possibility that he was involved. |
| They say it is a crime. | They claim that it constitutes a crime. |
| I think this is true. | Evidence suggests that this is the case. |
💡 The 'Preliminary' Logic
Notice the word "preliminary step." An A2 student says: "It is the first part." A B2 student says: "It is a preliminary stage."
Key Tip: When describing a process (a project, a trial, or a study), use preliminary to show that more work is coming later. It transforms a basic sentence into an academic one.