Jen Psaki On Islamists Hacking American Writer Avijit Roy To Death: We Have No Idea Why He Was Killed

Hacky Psaki

Yesterday, this happened:

Avijit Roy was a science writer, blogger, atheist, feminist, humanist, free thinker, and the founder of mukto Mona blog for Bengali free thinkers. He lived in the USA, but came to Bangladesh for a week or so to attend the inauguration of his new book at the national book fair in Dhaka. 

After the inauguration of his book tonight he and his wife left the book fair at around 9 pm. And then when they were on their way to home and not far from the book fair, Islamic fanatics stopped their rickshaw, dragged them out and hacked Avijit to death. The wife is alive but badly injured.

Today, Jen Psaki says she and the Administration have NO IDEA why Avijit Roy was slaughtered like an animal.

MS. PSAKI: On Bangladesh, the United States condemns in the strongest terms the brutal murder of Avijit Roy, which was horrific in its brutality and cowardice. Avijit was a journalist, a humanist, a husband, and a friend, and we extend our condolences to his family and friends. He was taken from us in a shocking act of violence. This was not just an attack against a person, but a cowardly assault on the universal principles enshrined in Bangladesh’s constitution and the country’s proud tradition of free intellectual and religious discourse. With that, Matt. 

QUESTION: All right. Well, just on the Bangladesh — 

MS. PSAKI: Oh, can I add one more thing? 

QUESTION: Yes. 

MS. PSAKI: We have a couple of friends in the back here – hello – who are visiting with us today. So we have two ladies, Jennifer and Ali, visiting, and Joe, who is one of Ryan’s friends, who is also getting married soon. Okay. Go ahead, Matt. 

QUESTION: So on the Bangladesh murder — 

MS. PSAKI: Yes. 

QUESTION: — does the – is the Administration at a point where it can ascribe any kind of motive to this? Do you believe that it was anything more than just a murder? It certainly seems that the circumstances surrounding it would indicate that it is. 

MS. PSAKI: We don’t have more information at this point. We, of course, will provide consular assistance as is appropriate. We’re also – stand ready to assist in the investigation if asked. Clearly, we know his background, which was why I outlined it, but don’t have anything to ascribe in terms of a motive in this case.

HOW DOES THIS SCRAG SLEEP AT NIGHT?