UK, EU collaborating for sanctions against Saudi Arabia

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - Britain on Tuesday said they are looking into ways to introduce global sanctions against Saudi Arabia in the wake of the brutal killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.

“The U.K. has been clear that we need to see accountability for the horrific murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi,” a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

“The actions Britain and our allies take will depend on two things: firstly the credibility of the final explanation given by Saudi Arabia, and secondly on our confidence that such an appalling episode cannot -- and will not -- be repeated,” the spokesperson added in a statement.

The U.K. is “exploring with EU partners the potential for an EU global human rights sanctions regime, which could address such brutal human rights violations".

“We will of course wait for the final outcome of the investigation before making any decisions," the statement concluded.

Khashoggi, a columnist for The Washington Post, went missing after entering the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2.

After initially saying he had left the consulate alive, the Saudi administration admitted weeks later that he was killed there.

His body has yet to be returned to his family amid reports that it was chemically dissolved.

British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said earlier this month that if the reports on the murder of Khashoggi turn out to be true, the U.K. would take necessary action against Saudi Arabia.

“The international community remain united in horror and outrage at the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi one month ago,” Hunt had said.