German government faces legal action following weapons ban in Saudi Arabia – Gun maker pledges to sue | World | New



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Berlin imposed an embargo on all arms shipments to the desert kingdom because of unanswered questions about the journalist's death at the Saudi Embbady in Istanbul. Rheinmettal has now written to the German Ministry of the Economy that it intends to take legal action for loss of revenue if the suspension of exports continues. Berlin suspended the approval of future export licenses to Saudi Arabia in October and, in November, said that she had collaborated with the industry to put a stop to already approved shipments of weapons.

No specific timing was given at that time, but industry sources indicated that an agreement had been reached to re-examine the case in mid-January.

Last week, the Ministry of Economy said that the government still did not intend to approve arms exports to Saudi Arabia .

The sales ban is for more than £ 1.8 billion of exports, including four Cobra radar systems built by a consortium including the French company Thales, Airbus and the American Lockheed Martin.

Rheinmetall thinks it can seek redress because the government's decision has affected already approved exports.

The company's management is concerned that its shareholders will sue Rheinmetall if the company does not demand compensation for the losses incurred.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Economy said: "We can not comment on individual decisions, possible revocations or individual measures."

Rheinmetall also declined to comment.

German politicians are increasingly worried about relations between Berlin and Riyadh because of the murder of Khashoggi, the role of Saudi Arabia in the bloody conflict in Yemen and its dubious record of human rights. the man who arouses anxiety.

Mr. Khashoggi, a well-known journalist and critic of the Saudi government, went to the country's consulate in Istanbul to sign documents related to his upcoming marriage and was never seen again.

The Saudi prosecutor said that he had been killed inside the building on the order of a secret service officer.

The Turkish authorities insist that they have evidence, including gruesome audio recordings, showing that the journalist was killed by a team of Saudi agents on orders from the highest levels. His body was not found.

(Additional report by Monika Pallenberg)

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