US Senator Rand Paul
U.S. Kentucky Senator Rand Paul on Wednesday demanded a halt in military support to Saudi Arabia until a Saudi journalist who disappeared in the Consulate in Istanbul was “returned alive”.
Jamal Khashoggi has been missing since Oct. 2, when he visited the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, amid speculation that he was killed by Saudi authorities.
In an article in The Atlantic, Paul said that he intended to introduce legislation to “cut all funding, training, advising, and any other coordination” with and to the Kingdom until Khashoggi is confirmed to be alive.
“The regime must be held accountable for Jamal Khashoggi,” he said.
Slamming the Saudi “oppressive regime”, Paul expressed “deep disappointment” with his fellow senators for not taking measures earlier.
“No amount of oil business or arms deals justifies our collusion with a regime that sponsors jihadism around the world,” he said.
He also criticized the OPEC nation’s “reckless” actions in the Yemen conflict.
Saudi authorities have yet to give a clear explanation on the fate of Khashoggi as several countries -- particularly Turkey, the U.S. and the UK -- press for clarification.
According to his fiancée Hatice Cengiz, Khashoggi first arrived at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Sept. 28. After being told his documents would be ready in a week, Khashoggi went to London and returned to Istanbul on Oct. 1.
Khashoggi called the consulate and was told "that documents are being prepared" and he could come to the consulate. He went to the diplomatic building on Oct. 2 with Cengiz but was not seen after entering it.
On the same day, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and visited the consulate while Khashoggi was also inside, police sources said.
Eight of the 15 individuals who came to Turkey from Saudi Arabia and are linked with the disappearance of missing journalist Jamal Khashoggi have been identified, Turkish security sources said on Wednesday.Jamal Khashoggi was last seen a week ago entering the consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancée, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe that Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission.According to Turkish police, while Khashoggi was inside, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the consulate.US was aware of plan by Saudi officials to capture Khashoggi: Washington PostIstanbul prosecutors are investigating the incident, while the consulate said on Twitter that it was working in coordination with Turkish authorities.Turkey on Monday conveyed its expectation of "full cooperation" from Saudi Arabia in the search for the missing journalist.Saudi Arabia on Tuesday invited Turkish experts and relevant officials to visit the consulate, according to diplomatic sources.Saudi officials ask Turkish authorities to defer consulate search for missing journalistUS ready to assist on missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi: PenceFifteen Saudis in journalist Khashoggi’s case identifiedNo proof Khashoggi left Saudi consulate, says fiancée
Turkey identifies eight of 15 individuals linked with disappearance of Saudi journalist
The Washington Post has claimed that the United States knew about a ploy by Saudi officials to capture journalist Jamal Khashoggi before he went missing.“Before Khashoggi’s disappearance, U.S. intelligence intercepted communications of Saudi officials discussing a plan to capture him,” the Washington Post reported on Tuesday, citing a source familiar with the case.Jamal Khashoggi was last seen a week ago entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancée, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe that Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission.Saudi officials ask Turkish authorities to defer consulate search for missing journalist“It was not clear whether the Saudis intended to arrest and interrogate Khashoggi or to kill him, or if the United States warned Khashoggi that he was a target.”A Turkish security source had previously said that a group of 15 Saudi nationals, including some officials, arrived in Istanbul and entered the consulate on Oct. 2, the same day Khashoggi was there, and later left the country.Saudi officials have denied sending a 15-man squad to Istanbul on the day Khashoggi disappeared, stating that the only group dispatched to Turkey was comprised of investigators who arrived on Saturday to help find Khashoggi.US ready to assist on missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi: PenceKhashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post newspaper.The Turkish government says it has seen no evidence supporting the Saudi claim that Khashoggi ever left the consulate alive.Khashoggi’s fiancée backed this statement in a piece she penned for The Washington Post."This much is true: He entered the consulate, and there’s no proof that he came out," wrote Hatice Cengiz.Fifteen Saudis in journalist Khashoggi’s case identifiedWashington ready to assist in Khashoggi investigationU.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday that Washington is ready to help in any way in the investigation of the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Pence was asked on the Hugh Hewitt syndicated radio program if Washington would send FBI technicians to the Saudi consulate in Turkey if Saudi Arabia requested it. "I think the United States of America stands ready to assist in any way," Pence said.No proof Khashoggi left Saudi consulate, says fiancée
US was aware of plan by Saudi officials to capture Khashoggi: Washington Post
Saudi officials have asked Turkish authorities to defer the search of the Consulate of Saudi Arabia in Istanbul in their investigation regarding the disappearance of Jamal Khashoggi, requesting them to reschedule for a later date, according to Turkish security sources.Turkey said on Tuesday that it would search Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul where Saudi journalist Khashoggi vanished last week.Khashoggi was last seen on Oct. 2 entering the consulate to get documents related to his forthcoming marriage. His fiancée, waiting outside, said he never emerged and Turkish sources said they believe Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies, was killed inside the mission.According to Turkish police, while Khashoggi was inside, 15 Saudis, including several officials, arrived in Istanbul on two planes and entered the consulate.Khashoggi left Saudi Arabia last year saying he feared retribution for his criticism of Saudi policy over the Yemen war and its crackdown on dissent, and since then wrote columns for the Washington Post newspaper.Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday called on Riyadh to prove its claim that Khashoggi, left the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, while the Washington called on Saudi Arabia to support an investigation into his disappearance.Saudi Arabia has dismissed claims that it killed or abducted Khashoggi as baseless accusations.US ready to assist on missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi: PenceSaudi Arabia to supply about 4 mln bbls of extra oil to India in NovFifteen Saudis in journalist Khashoggi’s case identifiedNo proof Khashoggi left Saudi consulate, says fiancéeTrump yet to speak to Saudis about missing journalist
Saudi officials ask Turkish authorities to defer consulate search for missing journalist
U.S. Vice President Mike Pence said on Wednesday the United States is ready to help in any way in the investigation of the disappearance of prominent Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.Pence was asked on the Hugh Hewitt syndicated radio program if Washington would send FBI technicians to the Saudi consulate in Turkey if Saudi Arabia requested it. "I think the United States of America stands ready to assist in any way," Pence said. Khashoggi was last seen entering the consulate on Oct. 2. Fifteen Saudis in journalist Khashoggi’s case identifiedNo proof Khashoggi left Saudi consulate, says fiancéeTrump yet to speak to Saudis about missing journalist
US ready to assist on missing Saudi journalist Khashoggi: Pence