Jamal Khashoggi’s wife, Hanan Elatr, has been granted political asylum in the United States following fears for her safety after her husband’s murder in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
US intelligence linked Saudi Arabia to Khashoggi’s death in October 2018, prompting Elatr to seek refuge in the US, where she applied for asylum in August 2020.
According to The BBC, obtained documents confirmed her indefinite asylum status granted on 28 November, with Elatr expressing a mix of emotions, stating, “We did win.”
She remains firm in her belief that returning to Egypt or the United Arab Emirates, where she has lived for over 25 years, poses a danger to her life.
Having abandoned her job and life in fear, Elatr resided in Maryland, anxious for many months. Her attorney, Randa Fahmy, noted the challenges she faced before obtaining a work permit in October 2021, enabling her to start anew in the US.
Presently employed and housed, Elatr grapples with financial hardships while rebuilding her life.
“It’s been a lengthy process,” Ms Fahmy said.
Despite the time it took, Ms Elatr expressed gratitude to President Joe Biden and his administration for “opening the door for me”. She said she is “relieved from feeling scared”.