Saudi rejects threats, threatens retaliation over Jamal Khashoggi disappearance

Riyadh [Saudi Arabia], Oct 14 (ANI): Saudi Arabia on Sunday said it rejected any threats, economic or political pressure from Western countries over the disappearance of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, threatening to retaliate "with greater action," against any sanctions levied on them.
A statement from Saudi Arabia read, "The Kingdom affirms its total rejection of any threats and attempts to undermine it, whether by threatening to impose economic sanctions, using political pressures, or repeating false accusations that will not undermine the Kingdom and its staunch positions and Arab, Islamic and international status, the outcome of these weak endeavors, like their predecessors, is a demise."
"The Kingdom also affirms that if it receives any action, it will respond with greater action, and that the Kingdom's economy has an influential and vital role in the global economy is affected only by the impact of the global economy," the statement added.
On Saturday, United States Donald Trump threatened of "severe punishment" for the Gulf country if they were found to have been a part of Khashoggi's death, The Washington Post reported.
Trump told CBS's '60 Minutes' that the administration "did not know yet" if Khashoggi was killed, adding that the situation "is being looked at very strongly."
"As of this moment, they deny it, and they deny it vehemently. Could it be them?" the US President added. Trump is facing growing coercion from the US opposition parties, who are calling for strict actions against Riyadh.
Khashoggi, a Washington Post Global Opinions columnist, had on October 2 entered the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to finalise paperwork for his wedding. He did not exit the building and has not been heard of since.
Turkey believes Khashoggi was killed inside the building, claiming to have proof in the form of audio and video recordings. They claim that the senior scribe was killed and dismembered by a group of 15 men, who are considered to have close links with the Saudi government.
Turkey has also been left frustrated with the Gulf country's cooperation in the investigation as Saudi has still not granted them access to the consulate.
However, Saudi has strongly refuted all allegations. (ANI)