CIA director briefs Trump on Khashoggi investigation
October 26, 2018 09:16
Central Intelligence Agency director Gina Haspel on Thursday briefed President Donald Trump on the investigations related to United States-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi, who was brutally killed inside Saudi Arabia's Istanbul Consulate, the White House said.
"The President received a briefing from director Haspel this morning following her return from Turkey. She briefed the president on their findings and her discussions," White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said.
The White House did not provide any other details of the meeting. Haspel returned from Turkey last night.
In Turkey, she met with officials involved in the investigations of the murder of the Saudi journalist Khashoggi.
Turkish officials say they have audio of the proof of the murder.
In a news report, The Washington Post said that Haspel listened to the audio tape. A person familiar with the audio said it was 'compelling' and could put more pressure on the US to hold the kingdom accountable for the death of Khashoggi, the daily reported.
Khashoggi was a contributing columnist for The Washington Post.
"This puts the ball firmly in Washington's court," Bruce Riedel, a former CIA official and scholar at the Brookings Institution, told The Washington Post.
"Not only will there be more pressure now from the media but Congress will say, 'Gina, we would love to have you come visit and you can tell us exactly what you heard'," he told the daily.
Haspel's briefing to Trump comes amidst latest change in Saudi stance in which it acknowledge that Khashoggi was murdered by its officials in a 'premeditated' operation. -- PTI
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