Riyadh likely aids Saudi nationals in the United States flee to avoid being prosecuted for serious crimes, according to the FBI.
The FBI said Saudi Arabia “almost certainly” helps its people escape the U.S. justice system, according to documents obtained by the Oregonian. Riyadh’s actions are “undermining the U.S. judicial process,” according to an Aug. 29 memo from the FBI.
“(Saudi) officials are unlikely to alter this practice in the near term unless the US Government (USG) directly addresses this issue with (Saudi Arabia) and ties US cooperation on (Saudi) priorities to ceasing this activity,” the FBI documents say.
Saudi Arabia likely helps its citizens escape prosecution to avoid international embarrassment. The FBI analysis of Saudi operations in the U.S. was released under a new law President Trump signed last month.
The FBI memo is heavily redacted and does not specify how Saudi agents or officials extract Saudi nationals accused of serious crimes. Reports indicate that Saudi nationals throughout the U.S. have disappeared mysteriously after being charged with crimes such as manslaughter or rape.
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has strengthened its ties with Saudi Arabia while attempting to rein in Iran. Tensions with Iran reached a fever pitch earlier this month when Trump ordered a drone strike that killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani.
