Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:59:00Z
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Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:39:00Z
52780316893549

Khashoggi murder: Independent investigation blames Saudi Arabia for 'extrajudicial killing' of journalist - CNN

In a much anticipated report, released Wednesday, UN extrajudicial executions investigator Agnes Callamard said that Saudi Arabia was responsible under international law for Khashoggi's "extrajudicial killing."

A prominent writer and Washington Post columnist, Khashoggi died after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October 2018. While Riyadh initially denied any knowledge of the incident, Saudi officials later claimed that a group of rogue operators, many of whom belong to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's inner circle, were responsible for the journalist's death.

The Saudi attorney general later acknowledged that Khashoggi was killed in a premeditated murder.

The special rapporteur does not make any conclusions on the guilt of the Saudi Crown Prince and King. Instead, Callamard says that there is "credible evidence meriting further investigation by a proper authority" as to whether the "threshold of criminal responsibility has been met."

She goes on to say that Khashoggi was "fully aware of the powers held by the Crown Prince" and had expressed fears about what would happen to him if he returned to the kingdom.

CNN has reached out to the Saudi government for a response to Wednesday's report.

Riyadh has maintained that neither bin Salman nor King Salman knew of the operation to target Khashoggi. US officials, however, have said such a mission -- including 15 men sent from Riyadh -- could not have been carried out without the authorization of bin Salman.

According to the report -- which cites evidence from Turkish and other intelligence agencies -- after entering the consulate, Khashoggi was injected with a sedative and then his head put inside a plastic bag and suffocated.

It quotes an audio recording from inside the consulate, in which Khashoggi is heard being told he will be taken to Saudi Arabia.

"We will have to take you back. There is an order from Interpol," a Saudi man tells the journalist, who replies that "there isn't a case against me" and warns them that people are waiting for him outside the consulate.

The men instruct Khashoggi to write a text message to his son, and argue over what he should say before a voice says "Cut it short."

"There is a towel here. Are you going to give me drugs?" Khashoggi asks.

"We will anesthetize you," a man responds.

A struggle can then be heard, after which a man asks whether Khashoggi has passed out.

"He raises his head."

"Keep pushing."

"Push here; don't remove your hand; push it."

It has previously been reported that after Khashoggi was killed his body was dismembered and removed from the consulate in separate bags. It has not been found.

The special rapporteur found credible evidence pointing to the crime scenes having been "thoroughly, even forensically, cleaned" -- indicating that the Saudi investigation was "not conducted in good faith, and that it may amount to obstructing justice."

Repercussions for Riyadh

Khashoggi's killing and the continued fallout from it has caused a diplomatic crisis for Riyadh, ruining Saudi Arabia's already shaky international reputation and leading many allies to distance themselves from bin Salman.

While US President Donald Trump has shied away from taking a hard line against bin Salman, wishing to retain Riyadh's support in pressuring Iran and flow of money for arms sales, other American politicians have sought to punish the Saudis.

Weeks after the killing, top US officials called for a ceasefire in the Saudi-led but US-supported war in Yemen, and Congress has voted to end US involvement in that conflict entirely -- though Trump vetoed that motion.

Bin Salman's "Davos in the Desert" summit weeks after the Khashoggi killing was a failure after many high profile guests pulled out, and investment in the Kingdom has also suffered since Khashoggi's killing, at a time when the Crown Prince is desperately trying to get foreign backing for his Vision 2030 plan.

Washington has also eased up on Saudi rival Qatar, after initially backing Riyadh's attempts to blockade its fellow Gulf monarchy.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/19/middleeast/khashoggi-saudi-arabia-report-intl/index.html

2019-06-19 10:30:00Z
52780316893549

Hungry polar bear roams around Russian factory - BBC News

A starving and exhausted polar bear has been spotted wandering in Russia's northern city of Norilsk - hundreds of kilometres from its natural habitat.

The female bear was roaming around a factory, under observation by officials in the world's northernmost city.

They say the animal could have simply got lost. Wildlife experts will soon inspect the bear and decide its fate.

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https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-48685015/hungry-polar-bear-roams-around-russian-factory

2019-06-19 04:10:36Z
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Angela Merkel shakes during national anthem, blaming dehydration - Guardian News

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2019-06-18 14:11:48Z
CCAiC21NMnlYOE54RXZFmAEB

Trump downplays tanker attacks in contrast to his national security team - CNN

The disconnect between Trump's comments in an interview with Time magazine -- in which he also warned that he would "certainly" go to war with Iran were the country to develop nuclear weapons -- and recent statements by national security adviser John Bolton and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo come at a time of escalating military posturing between the two countries and a heightened risk of confrontation.

Last week, two tankers -- one carrying oil and the other transporting chemicals -- were attacked near the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route that has been the focal point of regional tensions for decades. Roughly 30% of the world's sea-borne crude oil passes through the strategic choke point, making it a flashpoint for political and economic friction.

The United States has blamed Iran for the attack on the tankers in the Gulf of Oman, releasing video footage that it claims shows an Iranian patrol boat removing an unexploded mine from one of the vessels' hulls. Both Pompeo and Bolton have issued statements blaming Iran for the most recent attack, and Trump himself last week accused Iran of being behind the latest provocation, telling Fox News, "it was them that did it."

Tehran has categorically denied the accusations. In the Time interview, Trump downplayed the incidents.

"So far, it's been very minor," Trump said.

He also downplayed the importance of the Gulf of Oman, suggesting that the US doesn't rely on the region for oil and energy as much as other countries.

"We're not in the position that we used to be in in the Middle East," Trump said.

CNN has reached out to the White House for comment on Trump's remarks.

Recent actions by Washington and Tehran have again raised the possibility of military confrontation in the Persian Gulf. On Monday, acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan said the US will send 1,000 additional US forces and more military resources to the Middle East, hours after Iran said it was ramping up enrichment of low-grade uranium and will pass the limit it is allowed to stockpile under the nuclear deal in 10 days, the latest blow to the nuclear deal agreed between Tehran and world powers in 2015.

And last month, Bolton announced that the Pentagon was deploying the USS Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group and a bomber task force to the region in response to a "number of troubling and escalatory indications and warnings" from Iran.

Asked by Time what moves would lead him to consider going to war with Iran, he said, "I would certainly go over nuclear weapons, and I would keep the other a question mark," referring to the possibility of military action to protect oil supplies.

But when asked if he was considering military action against Iran, the President told Time, "I wouldn't say that. I can't say that at all."

The mixed signals coming from the Trump administration have unnerved allies, House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff said Tuesday.

"The bigger problem is that the administration has been going it alone, escalating pressure on Iran, reneging on the Iran nuclear deal," Schiff, a California Democrat, told CNN's John Berman on "New Day." "And now, when you have Iran engaged in these provocative and belligerent acts attacking shipping, we can't find our allies anywhere. They're worried about this administration rushing to war. They don't have trust in the administration. The administration has ignored their warnings."

CNN's Joe Johns contributed to this report.

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/18/politics/donald-trump-iran-tanker/index.html

2019-06-18 13:41:00Z
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Trump characterizes alleged attacks by Iran on oil tankers as ‘very minor’ - The Washington Post

President Trump in an interview published Monday night characterized alleged attacks by Iran against two oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman as “very minor” and suggested that the United States might not go to war to protect international oil supplies.

Trump’s assessment in Time magazine reflected a softer posture than that of senior administration officials at the Pentagon and the State Department, as well as some congressional Republicans, as tensions between the United States and Iran have flared recently.

In the interview, Trump said he would “certainly” go to war to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon.

“I would keep the other a question mark,” he said when asked whether he would take military action in response to attacks on oil tankers.

Last week, Trump administration officials blamed Iran for attacks against Norwegian and Japanese oil tankers.

“So far, it’s been very minor,” he told Time, referring to those and other recent attacks the United States has blamed on Iran.

[Iran threatens to surpass uranium limits as tensions with the U.S. continue to grow]

In its effort to convince other nations of Iran’s culpability, the Pentagon released several photographs Monday that it said showed Iran’s involvement in the tanker attacks more clearly than a grainy video released last week.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan also announced Monday that he was sending about 1,000 additional troops to the Middle East “for defensive purposes to address air, naval, and ground-based threats.”

“The recent Iranian attacks validate the reliable, credible intelligence we have received on hostile behavior by Iranian forces and their proxy groups that threaten United States personnel and interests across the region,” he said in a statement.

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Sunday that the Trump administration is considering a “full range of options” in response to the oil tanker attacks beyond the crippling sanctions it already has imposed, including on Iran’s oil exports.

“Of course, of course,” Pompeo told CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Sunday when asked if those options include military action.

Trump told Time that the Gulf of Oman is less strategically important for the United States than it used to be.

“Other places get such vast amounts of oil there,” he said. “We get very little. We have made tremendous progress in the last two and a half years in energy. . . . So we’re not in the position that we used to be in the Middle East where . . . some people would say we were there for the oil.”

Meanwhile, Iran said Monday that its stockpile of enriched uranium will surpass limits set by the 2015 international nuclear deal in 10 days unless European partners in the agreement do more to help it circumvent U.S. sanctions.

The announcement, made by the spokesman for Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, was the first time Tehran explicitly said it was on track to violate the agreement. The increase in both quantity and quality of the enriched fuel could shorten the time, estimated at one year, that it would take to produce enough for a nuclear weapon.

Karen DeYoung contributed to this report.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-characterizes-alleged-attacks-by-iran-on-oil-tankers-as-very-minor/2019/06/18/4f2796f4-91c7-11e9-aadb-74e6b2b46f6a_story.html

2019-06-18 13:26:28Z
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