Dear reader, online ads enable us to deliver the journalism you value. Please support us by taking a moment to
'US should demand answers from Saudi Arabia about disappearance, alleged killing of journalist'
The United States should "demand answers" from Saudi Arabia about the disappearance and alleged killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The Washington Post said late Sunday — and punish the kingdom if cooperation is lacking.
Khashoggi, a contributor to the Post who has been critical of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, vanished after an appointment with Saudi officials on Tuesday at the consulate in Istanbul.
A Turkish government source has said that police believe the journalist was murdered — a claim denied by Riyadh.
"The United States must now make a concerted effort to determine all the facts about Mr Khashoggi's disappearance," the Post said in an editorial, imploring Washington to "demand answers, loud and clear."
Read: ‘This has not been business as usual in my country’: excerpts from Khashoggi’s writings
Noting that President Donald Trump has treated Prince Mohammed as a "favored ally", the newspaper said the kingdom now should reciprocate with information about Khashoggi's whereabouts.
"If the crown prince does not respond with full cooperation, Congress must, as a first step, suspend all military cooperation with the kingdom," the Post said.
The newspaper called on Turkey to reveal any evidence that it has about Khashoggi's alleged murder, and to "spare no avenue to investigate".
It also said that Riyadh should explain the presence of about 15 Saudi nationals, some of them officials, who traveled to Istanbul and were at the consulate at the same time as Khashoggi.
"We are hoping against hope that Mr Khashoggi is unharmed and will soon return to his writing desk," the Post said.
"If the reports of his murder prove true, grief must be accompanied by accountability for those who carried out the murder and those who ordered it."
Khashoggi, 59, is a former government advisor who has criticised some of Prince Mohammed's policies and Riyadh's intervention in the war in Yemen.
He has lived in the United States since last year to avoid possible arrest, and has written a series of columns for the Post on Saudi affairs.
Comments (16) Closed
I believe Turkey should press SA for investigation. The crime of disappearance or murder inside SA embassy has happened in Turkey. SA cannot claim diplomatic immunity in such case. It is also important for SA to get it's name cleared if they have nothing to hide.
Saudi Arabia under MBS is becoming like Libya under Gaddafi. Will reach the same destination unless the King interferes.
I don't think anything will happen, it was all done in association with Trump's administration. Was he killed or kidnapped and where is he now?
This is how the Murder Inc of Prince MBS operates. First they extorted billions from some of the richest Saudis last year, by rounding them up into Ritz Carlton Riyadh (yes, even detentions and black mail in style!) now eliminating critics around the world by violating diplomatic norms and international treaties.
My hunch is that the 15 Saudi Officials who arrived in Istanmbul on seperate jets, took this journalist or his dead body with them out of Turkey in Diplomatic baggage, without detection or scanned by customs or security in Istnbul. This would explain why some of the CCTV camers outside the consulate where made redundant so not to record the loading of large items or trunk in Diplomatic Vans as the Saudi team left Istambul the same day they arrived and the day Khashoggi was inside the Consulate too.
The evidence points to foul play and implicates Saudi officials and no one else.
How is this different than what Russia did.
When the states drive & promote mafia culture then it is difficult to defend the national or international laws worldwide to protect the life & property of the respective citizens...
@Mohan reasonable analysis!
KSA will settle its background issues with US and then everything would be fine.
SA is probably lending dollars to Pakistan. Avoid issuing any statement against SA. It may impact their decision.
With all the surveillance cameras installed at every corner of the building, it should not be difficult to establish when the person entered and when, if at all, he made his exit on feet.
Why did he go to Saudi Embassy?
soudi arabia is another country that they ca do anything with outsiders,a nd no qestions should be asked!they shud. be tought a lesson one day or other!
As the leader of the free world, the US has an obligation to stand with those who fight against political repression and struggle for the protection of free speech. Mr. Khashoggi‘s whereabouts need to be determined. It is a possibility that he was kidnapped and taken to Saudi Arabia without his consent. Saudi government must free him immediately. If he was murdered as suspected, then Saudi Government must be held accountable by the world community.
This is another brilliant MBS to kill a harmless over the hill journalist which will bring nothing but disaster for the Saudi monarch. It seems MBS is living is on borrowed time and one can imagine he will be either deposed violently or better option for ailing king to sideline his impetuous and unstable king for the sake of monarchy. MBS is on the path of self destruction and I am afraid he may take his family along w him ...it is worrisome development for the whole Muslim world
@SyedChaudhryGangaDinKhan read the news for answers, dont be lazy and ask people
i wish he is alive and well and return to his life back in Turkey