Germany rescinds arms sales to Saudi Arabia over Khashoggi killing

Germany has stopped exporting weapons to Saudi Arabia and has banned 18 Saudi nationals from entering Europe’s Schengen Area in response to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, The Associated Press reported Monday.

The country previously said it would not approve additional weapons contracts with the Saudis, but on Monday made the move to halt previously approved deals. 

“The German government is working with those who have valid authorizations with the result that there are currently no [weapons] exports from Germany to Saudi Arabia,” German Economy Ministry spokesman Philipp Jornitz said.

{mosads}The AP reported that Berlin additionally blocked 18 Saudi nationals who are believed to be connected to Khashoggi’s death from entering the Schengen Area, a bloc of 26 countries in Europe that allow travel from one state to another with limited border enforcement.

Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist and U.S. resident who spoke critically of Saudi leadership, was killed after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2. His death has been a subject of international outcry.

President Trump said he expects the CIA to share a report on Khashoggi’s death by Tuesday. The president has condemned Khashoggi’s killing but has expressed skepticism about the involvement of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the incident.

The CIA has reportedly concluded that the crown prince ordered the killing, and U.S. lawmakers have voiced increasing certainty that the leader played a role in Khashoggi’s death.

Trump on Sunday highlighted the crown prince’s repeated denials and declined to speculate over whether Crown Prince Mohammed may have lied to him about his role in Khashoggi’s death. 

“I don’t know, you know, who could really know. But I can say this, he’s got many people now that say he had no knowledge,” Trump said.

The president additionally expressed reluctance about significantly altering the U.S.-Saudi relationship, telling Fox News’s Chris Wallace that Saudi Arabia has been a “very good” ally.

The Trump administration has thus far sanctioned 17 Saudis for their alleged roles in Khashoggi’s death and revoked U.S. visas for some officials deemed responsible for the incident.