The Italian Opera brings millions of dollars to Saudi Arabia: what causes?

Details:

• The plan, which was to include the Saudi Minister of Culture and Information on the board of directors of the Italian Opera (La Scala), sparked heated debate in Italy.
• Human rights groups and political figures said that Escala, one of Italy's most prestigious cultural institutions, should be free of money Saudi.
• Deputy Prime Minister and ruling party leader Matteo Salveni urged the opera to refuse money.
• The governor of the Lombardy region, also a member of the League party, has called for the resignation of the director of the opera, Alexander Pereira.

Remarks by the mayor of Milan, Giuseppe Sala, who heads the board of directors of L & # 39; Escala:

• The funds, which were part of a five – year, 15 – million – euro partnership proposed with the Saudi Ministry of Culture, were deposited on a third – party account without the consent of the Opera.
• We decided unanimously to repay the funds, and for the moment, walking in this way is not possible.
• The director of the opera Alexander Pereira, whose term expires next year, remains in office.

Not the first time:

• Saudi Arabia has been repeatedly accused of human rights violations and has faced intense international pressure since the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
• A few weeks ago, the Indian talent agency Endor terminated its contract with Saudi Arabia, donated $ 400 million to the Saudi investment fund and severed its ties with Saudi Arabia Arabia after the assassination of Khashoggi.
• The death of Jamal Khashoggi:
• Khashoggi's death on October 2, 2018 at the Saudi Arabian consulate in Istanbul provoked discontent among the international community and damaged the reputation of Saudi Arabia, particularly Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
• Khashoggi, whose body has not yet been found, was one of the most virulent critics of the Saudi prince, who denies any involvement in the murder.
• The US Senate unanimously adopted the decision that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is responsible for Khashoggi's death.
• Thirty-six countries, including all EU countries, have condemned with the utmost firmness the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi and called for the responsibility of the perpetrators of the crime.