Jamal Khashoggi: Donald Trump speaks of a dilettante and veiled murder

After the violent death of dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the United States has put in place the first punitive measures against 21 Saudi suspects. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told Washington Tuesday that the United States had identified intelligence suspects, the royal court, the state department and other ministries. Saudis. "We take appropriate measures that involve the withdrawal of visas."

Pompeo, who traveled to Saudi Arabia and Turkey last weekend, added: "These sanctions will not be the last word on this matter". Financial sanctions against individuals are also possible. For the US government, it is unacceptable that a journalist is silenced by violence, Pompeo said.

At first, he did not specify who exactly the people were affected. The State Department then stated that 21 Saudi suspects in the Khashoggi case had been deprived of their visas or declared ineligible for an American visa (more details on the 15 men who briefly run the consulate) before the Khashoggi's death, read this link).

The rulers in Riyadh had long denied the killing of Khashoggi three weeks ago in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. She recently said that the reporter had been killed in a fight at the consulate, the act had been a mistake. This presentation is skeptical around the world.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke Tuesday of a "barbaric planned killing" of the dissident critic. In Riyadh, he asked for clarification on "who ordered the crime" and where Khashoggi's body is.

Video: Erdogan comments on the Khashoggi case

The President of the United States, Donald Trump, commented on the Riyadh statement in these terms: "They had a very bad original concept, it was poorly executed and the cover-up was one of the worst in history. concealment. " It had been a "total fiasco" from the first day, said Trump. However, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman badured him by phone that he did not know it.

Trump has left open, however, who is responsible for the act. "I think anyone who has had this idea has big problems." When asked if he believed Erdogan, Trump said he wanted to know the facts first.

He would discuss possible sanctions with Congress, the US president continued with representatives of his Republican party as well as opposition Democrats. He hopes for non-partisan recommendations. A stoppage of arms deliveries to Saudi Arabia excluded Trump but.

Video: A doppelganger for Khashoggi?

The MP for Trump, Mike Pence, said they would ask more responses to Riyadh. The US government has close economic ties with Saudi Arabia and has therefore been careful in its badessment of the case so far. Finance Minister Steven Mnuchin recently canceled an investor conference in Riyadh but visited Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Foreign Minister Abdel al-Dzhubir recently promised "thorough investigations". Riyadh is accused of delaying investigations in the Khashoggi case.