Pak Sahafat – Criticizing the multi-million pound cooperation of the Tony Blair Institute with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia despite the violation of human rights in this country, the Sunday Times newspaper revealed that even after the assassination of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, the Saudi critic of Al Saud, the organization received financial aid.
According to Pak Sahafat News Agency, this English newspaper wrote that the said organization is involved in a multi-million pound partnership with Riyadh, the aim of which is to modernize this country under the leadership of Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The young crown prince of Saudi Arabia, who is considered to be the main decision-maker in this country, is accused of ordering the assassination of a Washington Post journalist in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Bin Salman has denied any involvement in this assassination and has blamed arbitrary agents for this crime.
The spokesperson of the Blair Institute confirmed that this non-profit organization has started cooperation in Saudi Arabia’s “Vision 2030” since 2017, and this cooperation continues even after Khashoggi’s murder. Based on this vision, a wide range of economic reform programs will be implemented to boost tourism and reduce dependence on oil.
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In the statement of the spokesperson of this institution, it is stated that in the beginning, there were “concerns” about the continuation of this cooperation within this organization, but in the end, Blair justified the continuation of the cooperation despite the “terrible crime” that had occurred, and none of the employees and members of the board of directors opposed it.
The statement added: The renewed cooperation of America and Western countries with Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman showed the correct reason for this decision.
The Financial Times reported earlier that British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has invited the Saudi crown prince to visit the country in the fall, but Downing Street has not yet commented on this matter.
After the murder of Khashoggi and the rejection of the Saudi Crown Prince, his trip to England is the latest sign of the Western countries welcoming the return of this high-ranking official to the field of diplomacy.
Despite concerns about the human rights situation in Saudi Arabia, Britain is seeking to strengthen its relations with the country and attract investment from the oil-rich country in the post-Brexit era.