Trump blasted over journalist
‘Severe punishment’ promised by Trump; nations urge inquiry
The disappearance of a Saudi dissident is opening a rift between Washington and Saudi Arabia, as the kingdom blasted President Donald Trump for promising “severe punishment” if the royal court was responsible.
ISTANBUL — The disappearance of Saudi dissident Jamal Khashoggi is opening a rift between Washington and Saudi Arabia as the kingdom blasted President Donald Trump on Sunday for promising “severe punishment” if the royal court was responsible.
If Saudi Arabia “receives any action, it will respond with greater action,” the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, citing the oil-rich kingdom’s “influential and vital role in the global economy.”
Saudi Arabia “affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations,” the Foreign Ministry said.
The “accusations” at issue are the claims of Turkish officials that a team of Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi, a U.S. resident and columnist for the Washington Post who was last seen entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on the afternoon of Oct. 2.
The Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and other Saudi officials have said they have no knowledge of Khashoggi’s fate.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has demanded an explanation.
But other Turkish officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity and citing confidential intelligence, have let out a steady stream of leaks detailing what they say was Khashoggi’s brutal murder at the hands of a 15-member Saudi team sent to Turkey with the mission to kill him.
Those leaks have contributed to rising pressure from Congress and other Western governments for Saudi Arabia to explain what happened. Although security camera footage shows Khashoggi entering the consulate, no evidence has emerged that shows him exiting. His fiancee has said she waited outside into the night.
On Sunday, Britain, France and Germany issued a joint statement demanding a “credible investigation to establish the truth about what happened, and — if relevant — to identify those bearing responsibility for the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, and ensure that they are held to account.”
In Washington, lawmakers of both parties had already demanded some sanctions if Saudi Arabia is proved responsible for Khashoggi’s death, and on Sunday, more added their voices.
The threats of retaliation from the West sent the Saudi stock market plunging as much as 7 percent on Sunday, the first day of the business week in the kingdom.