Swiss photo at the centre of Khashoggi disappearance row
The dissident Saudi journalist, who lives in the US, has been missing since October 2.
Keystone
A photo allegedly taken at Istanbul airport and used in a war of words over the disappearance of Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi was actually taken at Geneva airport in 2016, swissinfo.ch has learned.
This content was published on
2 minutes
Paula Dupraz-Dobias
Deutsch
de
Affäre Khashoggi: Medien verwenden Jet-Foto aus Genf
Khashoggi disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in the Turkish city of Istanbul. Turkish authorities say he was killed by a team of 15 men who arrived on two private jets from Saudi Arabia.
An image of a jet on sunny tarmac against a backdrop of snow covered peaks is being used in a war of words in the Turkish and Saudi media. It was first used in Turkish media, including the pro-government outlet SabahExternal link.
The image of the plane was also republished by Saudi media to disclaim links between Riyadh and Khashoggi’s disappearance. A presenter on Saudi Channel 24 commented on October 10 that the Saudi jet in question could not have been in Istanbul at the time because of the snow-capped peaks in the backdrop.
“What’s funny is that there is snow on the top of the picture and we are in the month of October,” he read from a pro-government Twitter feed by Munther Al-Sheikh Mubarak, a Saudi blogger.
The image was reposted many times on Twitter by various people. Here is one example:
The image was actually shot in March 2016 by Jean-Luc Altherr, an avid photographer of planes, who works for Geneva Airport. He is also listed as a contributor to Zurich-based Cockpit magazine.
Madeleine Von Holzen, spokesperson for Geneva Airport, confirmed to swissinfo.ch that the photo had been taken by Altherr, but during his free time, as a spotter.
She added that “this picture was used by media without the authorisation of Mr. Altherr”, in spite of a copyright mention on his Flickr account, where it was posted.
Meanwhile UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet called on Tuesday for the immunity of all sites and persons suspected in Khashoggi’s disappearance to be lifted.
And Reuters reports that head of Crédit Suisse Tidjane Thiam will join several other top executives bowing out of a Saudi investment conference later this month amidst uproar over the disappearance of Khashoggi.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
Aussie adoptee gains Swiss citizenship at 54 thanks to old envelope
Swiss skiers nab top spots in iconic Lauberhorn race
This content was published on
Swiss skier Marco Odermatt has won the Lauberhorn downhill ski race in Wengen, Switzerland, for the third time, just ahead of compatriot Franjo von Allmen.
Switzerland’s neighbours are ‘not role models’ in fiscal policy, says finance minister
This content was published on
Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter defended the country's compliance with the debt brake at a meeting of her party, the Radical-Liberals, on Saturday.
Pope Francis praises Swiss Guards’ patience with pilgrims
This content was published on
During a private audience on Saturday, Pope Francis praised the Swiss Guards for their "great patience" with pilgrims who visit the Vatican.
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier to design outfits for Eurovision presenters
This content was published on
Designer Kevin Germanier will dress the team of presenters at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May in Basel.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter makes official visit to Austria
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter, who took over the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has made her first official visit abroad as president to Austria.
This content was published on
The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
This content was published on
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich's financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
This content was published on
The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
Swiss university inaugurates Europe’s most powerful centrifuge
This content was published on
The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has inaugurated Europe's most powerful geotechnical centrifuge. Researchers use the instrument to simulate the effects of natural hazards.
Swiss film industry reports successful year in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss films did well in cinemas in 2024, recording over 907,000 admissions, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reports. They accounted for almost 9% of all films shown last year in Switzerland.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss concerned over missing Saudi journalist
This content was published on
The Swiss foreign ministry has summoned the deputy ambassador of the Saudi Arabian embassy over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
This content was published on
Economic Minister Johann Schneider-Ammann has held talks in Saudi Arabia focusing on trade relations but he also raised political and human rights .
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.