Saudi Arabia has vowed to retaliate to possible economic sanctions taken by other countries after Donald Trump warned of “severe punishment” over the disappearance of a Saudi journalist.

“The kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether through economic sanctions, political pressure or repeating false accusations,” it said in a statement.

“The kingdom also affirms that if it is [targeted by] any action, it will respond with greater action.”

Saudi Arabia has been under pressure since Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Riyadh, disappeared nearly two weeks ago after visiting the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, Turkey. 

The statement came after the Tadawul stock exchange in Riyadh dropped by 7 per cent at one point during the week’s first day of trading

Turkish officials have said they fear Saudi agents killed and dismembered Khashoggi after he entered the consulate, saying they have audio and video recordings of it that they have not released.

The kingdom has called the allegations “baseless”, but has offered no evidence to show the writer ever left the consulate. 

On Sunday, a Turkish newspaper reported that Khashoggi’s alleged torture and death may have been recorded on his Apple Watch.

In an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes” to be aired on Sunday, Trump said the consequences of Saudi Arabia being involved would be “severe.”

“There’s something really terrible and disgusting about that, if that was the case, so we’re going to have to see,” the US president said.

“We’re going to get to the bottom of it and there will be severe punishment.” 

However, in the same interview Trump said: “As of this moment, they deny it and they deny it vehemently. Could it be them? Yes.”

Saudi Arabia’s crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, has aggressively pitched the kingdom as a destination for foreign investment, but Khashoggi’s disappearance and suspicions he may have been targeted over his criticism of the crown prince have led several business leaders and media outlets to back out of an upcoming high-profile investment conference in Riyadh.

Source: Independent

BDST: 1950 HRS, OCT 14, 2018
AP