Corker Statement on US Sanctions Against Saudi Arabian Officials for Murder of Jamal Khashoggi

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act against Saudi Arabian officials who were responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and columnist for The Washington Post.

“I have a lot of concerns about the trajectory that Saudi Arabia is on right now, and I think a price needs to be paid,” said Corker. “I, along with others in the Senate, requested the administration conduct a thorough Global Magnitsky sanctions determination regarding the murder of Jamal Khashoggi. The administration’s sanctioning today of 17 individuals who were involved is a significant step in that process that hopefully will involve additional action as well. I've asked for a high-level meeting with Secretary Mattis, Secretary Pompeo, and CIA Director Gina Haspel to share with us exactly what is happening with the U.S. response to Saudi Arabia, both in regards to the conflict in Yemen and the assassination of Mr. Khashoggi. It’s very important for them to be forthcoming given the heightened level of concern and increasing demand for action here in the Senate.”

In a letter to President Donald J. Trump last month, Corker and Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), chairman and ranking member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs, triggered an investigation and Global Magnitsky sanctions determination regarding the disappearance of Khashoggi.

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