France vows 'punitive measures' if Riyadh role in Khashoggi murder ’proven’

PARIS - AFP

France will take "punitive measures" if Saudi Arabia is "proven" to be behind the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, government spokesman Benjamin Griveaux said Wednesday, adding that Paris would first have to verify Riyadh’s involvement.

"In the event that Saudi Arabia’s responsibility is proven, we will then draw the consequences and take punitive measures," Griveaux said after a cabinet meeting, while emphasising that Riyadh’s role would have to be "corroborated by our intelligence services" first.