Report warns that release of U.S. intelligence document could ‘explode’ into one of the king’s sons.
President Joe Biden is expected to call on King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud on Arabia Wednesday, ahead of the release of a U.S. intelligence report outlining the fate of journalist Jamal Khashoggi exterminated and murdered.
Citing a source, Axios news website reported late Tuesday that “the explosion report could be released” could involve one of the king’s sons without mentioning any names.
If it went ahead as scheduled, the call would be the first conversation between Biden, as US president and King Salman.
Other issues appear to be debated but Khashoggi’s case could take control of the headlines, the report said.
The unambiguous report from the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) found that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, also known as MBS, was involved in the murder of Khashoggi and in the dismemberment of his body.
Khashoggi, a Washington Post newspaper columnist and critic of Saudi government policies, was assassinated by a team of Saudi representatives at the country’s consulate in Istanbul in October 2018, according to reports. He had gone to the building to get the documents he needed for his marriage.
U.S. media outlets later said the CIA had looked into MBS’s involvement.
MBS has denied the allegations but has accepted responsibility as the de facto leader of the kingdom.
MBS did not speak to Biden, although as the country’s defense minister, he held a phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Trump refused
In response to the assassination, the U.S. Congress passed legislation in December 2019 that included a preparation requiring the DNI to release a non-classified report on Khashoggi’s assassination within 30 days.
The legislation also required the DNI to provide evidence of the experience or role that current or former Saudi government officials or Saudi political figures may have in “directing, ordering, or obstructing evidence” in Khashoggi was killed.
The Trump administration refused to release the full report in accordance with the law, telling legislators that the disclosure of the information would harm the sources and procedures of the national intelligence office.
The Trump administration refused to release the full Khashoggi report against Congress saying the publication of the information would harm government sources and procedures [File: Umit Bektas/Reuters]
Former US President Donald Trump was seen as close to the Saudi monarchy, especially MBS. Trump chose Riyadh as a destination for his first foreign trip, reaffirming his ties with the country.
Biden moves to rebalance U.S.-Saudi ties, ends U.S. support for Saudi-led work in Yemen and begins talks with Iran – a move Riyadh opposes .
Biden’s DNI Avril Haines also promised during her Senate confirmation hearing that she intended to release a non-classified Khashoggi report.
During the hearing, Senator Ron Wyden told Haines that she had an opportunity to “immediately turn the page on the excessive secrecy and injustice of the outgoing administration.”
When Wyden asked Haines if she would submit the report, she replied: “Yes, grandfather. Of course, I will follow the law. “
UN human rights groups and experts have denied Khashoggi’s murder and along with U.S. lawmakers, have long called for the report to be released.