(Dubai) The fiancee of Jamal Khashoggi, murdered in 2018 by Saudi agents, adds her voice to all those calling on Canadian star Justin Bieber to cancel his concert scheduled for next month as part of the Formula One Grand Prix. ‘Saudi Arabia.
In an open letter published by the Washington post, Hatice Cengiz urges the singer not to perform on December 5 the concert in Jeddah, near the Red Sea. “It would send a powerful message that would let the world know that your name and talent will not be used to restore the reputation of a regime that kills its opponents,” she wrote.
Justin Bieber is headlining the “cultural” section of the Grand Prix. A $ AP Rocky, David Guetta, Tiesto and Jason Derulo are also announced on the program.
This is not the first time that a pop star has been pressured to give up a concert in Saudi Arabia. Mariah Carey had ignored these calls for a boycott after the assassination of Mr. Khashoggi in October 2018.
However, public pressure convinced Nicki Minaj to cancel a concert in Jeddah in 2019. She then explained to the Associated Press that she wanted to support women’s and gay rights as well as freedom of movement. ‘expression.
The assassination of Mr. Khashoggi was carried out by a team of Saudi agents dispatched to Istanbul in Turkey. The former journalist went to his country’s consulate to obtain documents for his marriage to Mr.me Cengis. The latter waited in vain for him outside the building. Mr. Khashoggi’s body has never been found.
The Public Investment Fund, a Saudi investment fund run by the regime’s strongman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, believed to have authority for the assassination, bought for shares worth a total of $ 500 million from Live Nation, the company that owns Ticketmaster and promotes Justin Bieber concerts.
Human Rights Watch also urges Justin Bieber and other artists not to perform concerts at the Grand Prix. They say this kind of event only serves to distract from Saudi Arabia’s poor human rights record.