Virgin Galactic's Branson Halts Saudi Space Venture Talks Amid Probe Of Missing Journalist

WASHINGTON (Pakistan Point News / Sputnik - 12th October, 2018) Virgin Galactic Founder Richard Branson in a statement said discussions with Saudi Arabia about investments in two of his space companies have been put on hold until a probe into a missing journalist is completed.

Jamal Khashoggi, a columnist for the Washington Post, disappeared last week after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul to obtain wedding papers. Turkish authorities reportedly believe he was murdered by Saudi security operatives but Riyadh has denied the allegations.

"While those investigations are ongoing and Mr. Khashoggi's whereabouts are not known, I will suspend my directorships of the two [Saudi] tourism projects," Branson said on Thursday. "Virgin will also suspend its discussions with the Public Investment Fund over the proposed investment in our space companies Virgin Galactic and Virgin Orbit."

Last year Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced that the Kingdom was investing some $1 billion in Branson's space companies.

Earlier in the day, US Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker said Washington should impose sanctions on Saudi officials at the highest-levels for the journalist's disappearance. The State Department said it is expecting details on the incident from the Saudi Ambassador to the United States when he returns to Washington.