Saudi Arabia’s troubles over its alleged role in the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi continue. In the latest instance of protest against the Future Investment Initiative, its website was hacked and an image of Saudi Crown Prince executing the journalist was displayed, before the website was unceremoniously shut down.
Future Investment Initiative is the annual Saudi investment forum, which is slated to start tomorrow. Also known as “Davos In The Desert, the event is expected to host some of the biggest names in technology and business.
Post revelations about Saudi Arabia’s role in Jamal Khashoggi’s murder, there has been a public outcry against the event, and by extension the country. Several prominent figures (Notably the Uber CEO) have already dropped out of the conference, and large segments of public across the world are calling for other tech and business leaders to follow suit.
According to reports, the website displayed the following message:
For the sake of security for children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanction on the Saudi regime. The regime, aligned with the United States, must be kept responsible for its barbaric and inhumane action, such as killing its own citizen Jamal Khashoggi and thousands of innocent people in Yemen.
Also put on display were a few videos, such as the one below:
https://youtu.be/6Ts8eMgsBts
Meanwhile, the Saudi government is said to be using troll farms and other unorthodox means to stem the tide of outrage that is swelling over social media. By dismantling the event’s website, the hackers have not only sent a clear message across, but have also embarrassed the government right on the eve of the event.
