Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post contributor, entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2, 2018, and never emerged. Turkish officials quickly reported that a team of Saudi agents had killed him inside the building, with audio evidence suggesting a premeditated operation. The incident triggered immediate diplomatic fallout, sanctions threats, and demands for accountability from the United States and European governments.

The killing exposed deep tensions over Saudi Arabia's human rights record and the crown prince's consolidation of power. Reports linked the operation directly to Riyadh, raising concerns about whether the prince ordered or knew of the hit squad in advance. The Saudi government initially denied involvement before shifting to claims that the death was accidental during an interrogation.

The cartoon highlights the absurdity of the prince's denial by showing him walking away from the scene while the hit squad remains visibly attached beneath his robe. It underscores the futility of claiming the matter is resolved when physical evidence and international scrutiny continue to follow every step.