Advertisement

Saudi Arabia vows to retaliate ‘with greater action’ if sanctioned over Khashoggi’s disappearance

Meanwhile, the Trump administration sends mixed messages over the Saudi journalist's disappearance.

President Trump said Wednesday that while he was worried about the fate of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response would be a step too far. PICTURED: Michael Beer holds a poster during a rally for Khashoggi, who disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate in Instanbul. (Photo credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)
President Trump said Wednesday that while he was worried about the fate of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, halting arms sales to Saudi Arabia in response would be a step too far. PICTURED: Michael Beer holds a poster during a rally for Khashoggi, who disappeared after entering the Saudi Consulate in Instanbul. (Photo credit: Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Saudia Arabia rejected “threats” and international pressure Sunday over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, and vowed to retaliate if hit with sanctions.

“The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether through economic sanctions, political pressure or repeating false accusations,” the Saudi Arabia’s official press agency said in a statement on Sunday.

“The kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action.”

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, went missing on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey to obtain paperwork to get married. Security camera footage has showed him entering the consulate and Saudi officials haven’t been able to produce evidence that he ever left.

Advertisement

According to The Post, the Turkish government told U.S. officials that it has recordings of Khashoggi being detained, interrogated, tortured, and murdered by Saudi security. Turkish authorities reportedly have not had access to the consulate, despite assurances from Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman who said “we have “nothing to hide.”

So far, the international community has been firm with Saudi Arabia. Western businesses — including groups in Washington where Riyadh has strong allies — have distanced themselves from the Gulf nation. At least one firm that lobbies for Saudi interests in the U.S. ended its contract, while several others, including the New York Times, canceled their participation at a Saudi-sponsored investor conference where Prince Mohammed will speak this month.

Meanwhile, German, French and British foreign ministers issued a joint statement Sunday calling for a “credible investigation” into Khashoggi’s disappearance.

The Trump administration, however, is sending mixed messages. While some Republicans have been vocal about Saudi Arabia being responsible for Khashoggi’s alleged death, the president has expressed skepticism, saying “what happened is a terrible thing — assuming that happened.”

In a 60 Minutes interview airing Sunday night, Trump vowed “severe punishment” if Riyadh did kill Khashoggi. But in the same interview, he continues to express skepticism that Saudi Arabia is responsible and defended a $110 billion arms deal with Riyadh.

Advertisement

The Guardian’s Patrick Wintour noted that the continuing controversy over the fate of Khashoggi and the accompanying diplomatic fallout comes “as the Riyadh stock market had its biggest fall in years.”

Indeed, shares plunged as much as seven percent on Sunday, making it the biggest intraday decline since December 2014.