Jamal Khashoggi- Mnuchin and Fox quit Saudi summit

The Washington Post published the final column from journalist Jamal Khashoggi- who was allegedly tortured and killed inside Saudi Arabia’s consulate in Istanbul.

His piece titled “What the Arab needs most is free expression,” explains the crackdown on journalist in Saudi Arabia and other Middle East Countries.

“Arab governments have been given the rein to continue silencing the media at an increasing rate “ Khashoggi wrote. The article was received by the paper the day after the US resident was reported missing.

The Post held off publishing it because of slimmer of hope that Jamal would come back to US and now clearly that is not going to happen.

In the piece Khashoggi calls for a free press throughout the Arab world and singles out the Saudi Kingdom for imprisoning writer Saleh-al-Shehi.

The Saudi government has not given a full accounting of what happened to Khashoggi a critic of the regime after he entered the compound on October 2, 2018.

President Trump said Tuesday he had spoken by phone with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, “who totally denied any knowledge of what happened” in the consulate.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and UK International Trade Secretary Liam Fox have pulled out of the Saudi Arabian investment summit and their moves come amid allegations the country was behind the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

Saudi Arabia which denies the killings, allowed investigators inside overnight.

Investment bank Goldman Sachs became the latest business to say it would not send any executives to the conference.

The Future investment initiative summit will take place from 23 to 25 October in the Saudi capital Riyadh., which is being hosted by Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salman to promote his reform agenda. His plan for economic and social modernisation, called Vision 2030, aims to reduce Saudi Arabia’s dependence on oil and provide new jobs.. Mr Mnuchin’s decision to boycott the summit I following discussions with President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, seen as a blow to the prince’s agenda. Mr Pompeo who went to Riyadh earlier this week to discuss the disappearance with Saudi King Salman who has given assurance that Saudi Arabia would investigate the matter.

The Turkish authorities say they have audio and video evidence of the killing although these have not been made public.