The conference, nicknamed Davos in the Desert and slated to run Oct. 23 - 25, is bin Salman's attempt to diversify the country's oil-based economy.
The website of an international Saudi investment conference hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has been attacked by hackers.
On the homepage of the 'Future Investment Initiative' website, hackers posted a fake image showing bin Salman holding a sword standing behind the murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
The conference, nicknamed Davos in the Desert and slated to run Oct. 23 - 25, is bin Salman's attempt to diversify the country's oil-based economy.
His plans, however, have become disrupted amid global outcry about Khashoggi's killing inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.
Screenshots of the hacked website show the message: "Saudi regime is one of the sources for #Terrorism_Financing in the world."
"For the sake of security for children worldwide, we urge all countries to put sanctions on the Saudi regime,” the message stated.
"The regime, aligned with the United States, must be kept responsible for its barbaric and inhuman action, such as killing its own citizen Jamal Khashoggi and thousands of innocent people in Yemen. The medieval Saudi regime is one of the sources of #Terrorism_Financing in the world."
Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, had gone missing since entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.
After denying knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts for two weeks, Saudi Arabia on Saturday said he was killed during a "brawl" inside the consulate.
His body has not been recovered, nor has Saudi Arabia explained its shifting narrative on what transpired.
SoftBank Group Corp Chief Executive Masayoshi Son has cancelled a speaking engagement at this week's Saudi Arabia investment conference but could still attend, the Wall Street Journal said on Tuesday, citing a conference representative.The cancellation comes as pressure mounts on Riyadh over the disappearance and death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with many high-profile company executives pulling out altogether.Son's absence from the stage would be in marked contrast to last year's inaugural event, where the 61-year-old Japanese entrepreneur was a notable presence leading credence to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's efforts to bring foreign investment into the Gulf kingdom.A SoftBank spokeswoman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.Saudi stocks stumble amid Khashoggi killing falloutNearly half of the more than $93 billion raised last year to create SoftBank's Vision Fund came from Saudi Arabia, giving Son the firepower to make big bets in late-stage startups such as Uber Technologies Inc and shared office space provider WeWork Cos.SoftBank has repeatedly declined to comment on whether SoftBank management including Son would attend, even as executives from portfolio companies Uber and Improbable dropped out.Son's mix of visionary rhetoric and hard-headed business decisions has given him an oversized presence in the tech world.However alarm over Saudi's involvement in the disappearance of Khashoggi has underlined his investment juggernaut's reliance on backers such as the kingdom at a time of rising political tensions.Turkey has not yet shared any information with any country on Khashoggi case: FMArm Holdings CEO Simon Segars has pulled out of the event, a source told Reuters on Monday. SoftBank acquired the chip designer in 2016.Bloomberg reported on Monday that SoftBank Chief Operating Officer Marcelo Claure would also not attend.
SoftBank CEO Son not to speak at Saudi conference, could still attend: WSJ
Saudi Arabia's stock market dived in early trade on Tuesday, the opening day of a three-day investment conference, amid persistent investor concern about global reaction to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.The Saudi index fell 1.3 percent at 7,546 points in half an hour, with banks and petrochemical shares the biggest losers.U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday that he was still not satisfied with what he has heard from Saudi Arabia about the killing of Khashoggi in Turkey, but did not want to lose investment from Riyadh.Saudi Arabia on Sunday described the killing of Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate as a "huge and grave mistake", but said its Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MbS) had not been aware.Turkey has not yet shared any information with any country on Khashoggi case: FMFresh stock exchange data released on Sunday showed foreigners sold a net 4.01 billion riyals ($1.07 billion) in Saudi stocks in the week ending Oct. 18.But state-linked Saudi funds have been buying blue-chips in a support operation since the market plunged last week, according to analysts.Saudi's stock market has lost a little over five percent in value since Oct. 2 because of concerns the Khashoggi case could trigger U.S. sanctions and shrink inflows of foreign investment.Al Rajhi Bank dropped 2.9 percent and National Commercial Bank lost 3.6 percent.Saudi foreign minister pledges full probe into Khashoggi killingBut Saudi Industrial Export outperformed the market, jumping 9.9 percent after its third-quarter loss narrowed.Jabal Omar Development also climbed 3.8 percent after posting a third-quarter profit.The Dubai index inched up 0.1 percent with Emaar Properties adding 0.6 percent and Dubai Islamic Bank increased 0.2 percent.Gulf Navigation Holding jumped 7.4 percent in heavy trade after Dubai Financial Market said direct deals were executed on 82 million shares of the company for 80.4 million dirhams.World not satisfied with Saudi explanation on KhashoggiNasdaq-listed DP World fell 1.8 percent after reporting a 6.7 percent drop in its shipping container volumes for the third-quarter.In Qatar, Qatar Gas Transport added 3.2 percent and Mesaieed Petrochemical gained 1.5 percent. The main index was flat. ‘No reason’ for month delay in Khashoggi probe: TrumpCIA Director on way to Turkey for Khashoggi case
Saudi stocks stumble amid Khashoggi killing fallout
Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said on Tuesday the kingdom was committed to a thorough and complete investigation to get to the truth behind the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Turkey.Saudi Arabia had sent a team to Turkey for a joint investigation and "uncovered evidence of a murder" in the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul, the minister told a news conference in Indonesia during a state visit."We expressed commitment ... to see to it that the investigation is thorough and complete and the truth is revealed and those responsible will be held to account," al-Jubeir said at the joint news conference with his Indonesian counterpart.Turkey says will enlighten 'nefarious murder' of Khashoggi"We will see to it ... that procedures and mechanisms are put in place to ensure that something like this can never happen again," he said.Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and critic of the Saudi government, disappeared after he entered the consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 to obtain documents for his marriage.Saudi Arabia initially denied knowledge of his fate before saying he had been killed in a fight in the consulate, an explanation that has drawn international scepticism.US in 'fact-finding phase' on Khashoggi: KushnerU.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto ruler on Sunday, but said he was still not satisfied with what he had heard about the killing.Foreign Minister al-Jubeir said 18 people had been detained and six senior government officials had already been dismissed as a result of the investigation.On Monday, al-Jubeir met Indonesian President Joko Widodo who called for a "transparent and thorough" investigation of the killing. French foreign minister says killing of Saudi journalist grave crime
Saudi foreign minister pledges full probe into Khashoggi killing
Saudi Arabia's cultivated efforts to create warm relations between Riyadh and Washington is being tested amid the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The Washington Post reported Monday.The "sophisticated Saudi influence machine" had used its wealth to funnel millions of dollars into the pockets of think tanks, law firms, consultants and defense contractors.Saudi Arabia spent $27.3 million on lobbying efforts in the U.S. in 2017, a large increase from the $7.7 million spent in 2016, according to the newspaper.The country also used flattery and friendliness to bring top U.S. influencers to the table, by hosting lavish galas and dinners, as well as offering Super Bowl tickets to Fox News' Bret Baier and CNN's Jake Tapper.The Post wrote the Saudis increased lobbying efforts after the U.S. government successfully passed the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA), which allowed families of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks to sue the government of Saudi Arabia for supporting the attacks.Saudi foreign minister pledges 'comprehensive investigation' of Khashoggi killing"Military veterans were recruited by Saudi consultants to come to Washington to tell Congress the measure could open them up to potential litigation," the Post wrote.Lobbying efforts led to the failure of a bill introduced in Congress which sought to end U.S. support for the Saudi-led campaign in Yemen that has led to what the UN calls "the worst humanitarian crisis in the world.""During the seven weeks leading up to the crown prince’s visit and Yemen resolution vote, lobbyists reported 759 contacts with members of Congress, staffers, academics and reporters on behalf of the Saudi government, according to public records," the Post wrote.The oil-rich kingdom, along with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), also invested in prominent think tanks, giving grants to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), the Brookings Institution and the Middle East Institute (MEI).World not satisfied with Saudi explanation on KhashoggiThe MEI received between $1.25 million and $4 million from the Saudis in 2016 - 2017, and also received $20 million from the UAE in 2016, the newspaper reported.However, all three think tanks have said they are in the process of reconsidering the grants due to the "global condemnation" of the killing of Khashoggi, according to the Post.After denying knowledge of Khashoggi's whereabouts for two weeks, Saudi Arabia on Saturday admitted the Post columnist was killed during a fight inside its Istanbul Consulate on Oct. 2.The CSIS reportedly said it would not continue a $900,000 grant from the Saudi government, and Brookings Institute said it was closing a six-figure research granted given by the Saudis."For think tanks, as well as universities and museums, taking Saudi money is going to leave a stain for some time to come,” Daniel Benjamin, director of the John Sloan Dickey Center at Dartmouth University, told the Post.
Saudis use charm, fierce lobbying to gain power