MPs call for Saudi officials to be hit with sanctions
SAUDI officials involved in the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi should be targeted by sanctions introduced in the wake of the Salisbury attack, MPs and campaigners said last night.
The Government said it was “considering ... our next steps” after the kingdom admitted on Friday that Mr Khashoggi was killed in its consulate in Turkey during a “fist fight”. The calls came as Jeremy Hunt, the Foreign Secretary, questioned the credibility of Saudi claims in a conversation with Adel al-Jubeir, the Saudi foreign minister. A source close to Mr Hunt said: “Nothing can justify this killing. We note the Saudi explanation but do not think it is entirely credible. Ultimately the strength of our response will depend on the extent to which the truth has been found, and our confidence that it cannot happen again.”
Saudi Arabia said three consulate staff and 15 squad members who flew to Istanbul to kidnap Mr Khashoggi had been arrested.
Last night Andrew Mitchell, the former international development secretary, said the Magnitsky law, which is similar to legislation in the US and Canada, should be used against any individuals complicit in Mr Khashoggi’s death. It allows the Government to target human rights abusers with asset freezes and visa bans.
Q Where is Khashoggi’s body? ASaudi
Arabia says Khashoggi’s killers handed his body to a local accomplice and they do not know where it is.
Turkish police are determined to find it and have been searching a forest north of Istanbul.
Sceptics believe Saudi Arabia is hiding the body because an autopsy may show that Khashoggi was tortured, undermining Riyadh’s claim that he died in a fist fight. Saudi Arabia will come under international pressure to locate it so he can be given a Muslim burial.
Q What about the audio tapes of his death?
A Turkish officials claim to have gruesome audio tapes proving Khashoggi was tortured, murdered, and dismembered inside the consulate. The CIA has reportedly heard the tapes.
If the tapes exist as described, they could blow a hole in the Saudi narrative. Turkey could decide to make them public and embarrass Riyadh. It could also hold on to the tapes and use them as leverage to extract concessions in the future. Q Will the US Congress buy the Saudi explanation?
A The White House appears to be accepting the Saudi narrative and seems content to stand by Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi crown prince. But Riyadh could still face major problems if the US Congress is unconvinced. Congress has the power to vote for sanctions and could also block weapons sales and try to cut off US support for the Saudi war in Yemen. It could also launch an embarrassing investigation. So far, prominent Democrats and Republicans say they do not accept the Saudi story.
Democrats may increase the pressure if they take control of the House of Representatives in next month’s midterm elections.
Q What happens to the 18 accused Saudis?
A Saudi Arabia says the 18 men arrested will face justice in Saudi courts. It is not clear if that judicial process will be transparent and whether the men will be allowed to properly defend themselves.
The Saudi royal family risks a potential backlash if the public believes the 18 men are being treated as scapegoats and are taking the fall for an operation ordered by senior leaders.
Turkey could further complicate matters if it demands that Saudi Arabia extradite the men to face Turkish courts. Q What next for Mohammed bin Salman? A The crown prince has been feted by Western politicians, Hollywood stars and business leaders. Even if he avoids being personally sanctioned, those invites are likely to dry up. Expect MBS to keep a low-profile for a time.