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 Mr 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 Mr 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, Mr 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 Mr 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 Mr 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.
Mr Khashoggi’s fiance said those behind his disappearance “must be held accountable and punished to the full extent of the law”.
Hatice Cengiz said her soon-to-be husband “was a patriot”. Writing in the New York Times, she said: “Jamal spoke up against oppression, but he paid for the Saudi people’s demand for freedom with his own life.”
She added: “Oppression never lasts forever. Tyrants eventually pay for their sins.”
It comes as the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, criticised the UK’s response to Mr Khashoggi’s disappearance, saying the foreign secretary, Jeremy Hunt, had failed to hold the Saudis to account.
The Labour MP said there had been “nothing but pusillanimous mutterings” from Mr Hunt over the disappearance of the Saudi writer.
“He is being outdone by Donald Trump, whoever would have thought that?” she said.
“They’re playing catch-up with Donald Trump when it comes to condemnation of this and actually taking action and being prepared to stand firm.”
