Hanan Elatr, the wife of the late journalist Jamal Khashoggi, found herself in a deeply concerning situation following the horrific events surrounding her husband’s murder at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul back in 2018. Fearing for her safety and well-being, she grappled with the daunting reality of potential threats to her life, both in her home country of Egypt and in the United Arab Emirates, where she had resided for over 25 years.
Amidst these distressing circumstances, Hanan made the pivotal decision to seek refuge in the United States. Her main aim was to protect herself from possible dangers, considering the uncertainty and risks she faced elsewhere. Arriving in the US in 2020, Hanan Elatr embarked on the challenging path of applying for asylum, a process designed to provide sanctuary to individuals facing life-threatening situations in their home countries.
However, this undertaking wasn’t without its hurdles. In pursuit of asylum, Hanan had to leave behind her career as a former flight attendant with Emirates and navigate a complex legal procedure. The application process involved deeply personal and emotional aspects, requiring her to recount the distressing details surrounding her husband’s untimely demise during an interview with US immigration authorities in March 2023. This interview, as described by her attorney Randa Fahmy, was emotionally taxing and distressing due to the necessity of discussing the tragic loss of her husband.
Eventually, after undergoing this challenging ordeal, Hanan Elatr received the welcome news of being granted asylum in the United States. This crucial decision brought immense relief to Hanan, who expressed her heartfelt gratitude to President Joe Biden’s administration for extending a helping hand during her time of need. Additionally, she offered thanks to Congressman Don Beyer and Senator Tim Kaine for their unwavering support and advocacy on her behalf within the corridors of the US government.
Congressman Beyer echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the clarity and necessity of Hanan’s case for asylum, given the daunting circumstances she faced. He pledged to continue standing alongside Hanan in her quest for justice for her late husband’s tragic and unjust death.
This elaborated account aims to shed light on the challenges Hanan Elatr encountered while seeking asylum in the US after the devastating loss of her husband, Jamal Khashoggi, and the significance of finding refuge and support in a foreign land.
