US Consulting Firms Must Reveal Information On Services Provided To Saudi Gov't. - Senator

Three US consulting firms must provide information regarding services they provided to the government of Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the murder of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, US Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a letter to the firms on Thursday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 16th November, 2018) Three US consulting firms must provide information regarding services they provided to the government of Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the murder of Saudi columnist Jamal Khashoggi, US Senator Elizabeth Warren said in a letter to the firms on Thursday.

"I write to request information on the scope of the services that Booz Allen Hamilton (Booz Allen), Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and Deloitte provide to the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, including any Saudi government-affiliated entity," Warren said in the letter.

Warren pointed out the importance for the consulting firms be transparent about their services following the aftermath of Khashoggi's death and the apparent efforts of the Saudi government to cover up the murder and reportedly use the services of the consulting firm McKinsey & Company to silence critics.

Booz Allen Hamilton reportedly advises the Saudi Army and trains the Saudi Navy as Riyadh continues military operations in Yemen, and has concluded an agreement to protect the Saudi government's systems from cyberattacks, Warren said.

In addition, the Boston Consulting Group reportedly advises Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's foundation and has a contract to help overhaul the Saudi Defense Ministry's procurement systems and improve its handling of finances and personnel, Warren also said.

Deloitte is a partner of Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative conference, Warren added.

Khashoggi disappeared on October 2 after entering the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Saudi Arabia has provided conflicting explanations of how Khashoggi vanished after entering the consulate to retrieve papers he needed to remarry. The Saudi government initially claimed Khashoggi left unharmed, but later blamed a rogue operation for the killing. The Saudi royal family has denied any role in Khashoggi's murder.