Richard Branson halts $1bn Saudi space deal over Jamal Kashoggi’s disappearance
‘What has reportedly happened in Turkey … if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi government’
Bengaluru — British billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Group will suspend discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund over a planned $1bn investment in the group’s space ventures, in light of the disappearance of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. “What has reportedly happened in Turkey around the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, if proved true, would clearly change the ability of any of us in the West to do business with the Saudi government,” Branson said on Thursday. Branson will also suspend his directorship in two Saudi tourism projects around the Red Sea, also because of Khashoggi’s disappearance. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Pressure has mounted on Saudi Arabia since October 2 when Khashoggi, a prominent critic of Saudi policies and a Washington Post journalist, went missing. He was last seen entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on October 2. Last year, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment ...
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