Khashoggi editor: Washington Post will urge US officials ‘to do more’ on Saudi Arabia

The editor for Washington Post contributor and dissident Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi said Sunday that the newspaper will urge the U.S. to do more on Saudi Arabia.

Karen Attiah told CNN’s “Reliable Sources” that the paper will continue to keep national attention on Khashoggi’s death at the hands of Saudis in their consulate in Istanbul, as well as other issues.

“It’s to keep attention not just on this problem, but for all the problems within Saudi Arabia that Jamal himself was advocating for,” Attiah said.

{mosads}”I think this is a unique opportunity for us to push for answers on the detainment and — other performers and activists,” she said.

“Essam al-Zamel, the economist who was jailed basically for criticizing Vision 2030, Mohammed bin Salman’s economic plan, or Loujain al-Hathloul, the women’s driving activist who was snatched up from the [United Arab Emirates] and has been sitting somewhere, we think, in a jail somewhere in Saudi Arabia,” she said. “But we’re not sure.”

“I mean, now’s the time to really focus attention on these others who have been disappeared or detained for — without due process.”

She also pointed to the conflict in Yemen as a point to which the Post will continue to draw attention.

Specifically, she mentioned “the kidnapping of … the Lebanese prime minister, Saad Hariri.”

“It’s about really pressing for accountability on Saudi Arabia, which is supposed to be a reliable partner, and has shown that it is anything but.”

“So, we’re going to continue shouting, and we’re going to continue pressing our U.S. officials to do more,” she concluded.

Khashoggi went missing on Oct. 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul.

Turkish authorities allege that Saudi operatives tortured, murdered and dismembered Khashoggi on the basis of audio tapes which they have not made public. 

Saudi Arabia has denied Turkey’s narrative, saying that their initial investigation into the matter has concluded that Khashoggi died in a brawl gone wrong within the consulate.

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Trump earlier last week that he had no knowledge of Khashoggi’s fate.

Trump said Saturday that he is not satisfied with the Saudi’s investigation and promised to punish those responsible severely.