The highly effective governor of Saudi Arabia’s state-backed funding fund has been invited to testify earlier than a Senate committee within the wake of a proposed merger between Saudi-backed LIV Tour and the PGA, elevating the likelihood the chief might be questioned underneath oath about points starting from the long run of golf to the execution of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
Yasir al-Rumayyan, governor of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, was invited to testify on July 11 by the Senate everlasting subcommittee on investigations, whose chairman, Democratic senator Dick Blumenthal, is one of the hardest critics of Saudi on Capitol Hill.
Jay Monahan, the PGA commissioner, and LIV Golf League chief govt and commissioner Greg Norman, had been additionally invited to testify.
The proposed merger of LIV Tour and PGA, which additionally includes the DP World Tour, has acquired a frosty reception on Capitol Hill, the place it’s dealing with questions not solely from Blumenthal, but additionally the Senate finance committee. The name for Rumayyan to testify at a listening to, nevertheless, marks a brand new twist.
In a public assertion, Blumenthal mentioned the aim of the listening to was to study the proposed settlement between the PGA and the PIF.
“Our goal is to uncover the facts about what went into the PGA Tour’s deal with the Saudi Public Investment Fund and what the Saudi takeover means for the future of this cherished American institution and our national interest,” Blumenthal mentioned.
“Americans deserve to know what the structure and governance of this new entity will be. Major actors in the deal are best positioned to provide this information, and they owe Congress – and the American people – answers in a public setting.”
But it’s removed from clear whether or not Rumayyan will in the end agree to testify. Saudi officers up to now have efficiently prevented depositions and public testimony underneath oath by claiming sovereign immunity.
While the main focus of the listening to will undoubtedly be centered on golf, al-Rumayyan might additionally face questions on his position on the PIF and his relationship with the Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman, who’s the chairman of the PIF.
Al-Rumayyan wears many hats in his position as a Saudi state official: he serves as chairman of Saudi Aramco, the Saudi nationwide oil firm, and chairman of Newcastle United, amongst different roles.
The Guardian beforehand reported that the chief was concerned in a controversial “anti-corruption” purge in Saudi Arabia that included the switch of belongings on behalf of the crown prince.
Internal Saudi paperwork filed to a civil courtroom in Canada as half of an unrelated case present that in 2017 an in depth aide to Prince Mohammed ordered Rumayyan – who’s formally referred to in memos as “his excellency” and the “supervisor” of the PIF – to switch 20 firms to the sovereign wealth fund as half of the anti-corruption marketing campaign.
One of 20 seized firms, the paperwork present, was a constitution jet firm that was later alleged to have been used within the Saudi plot to kill Jamal Khashoggi. US intelligence businesses concluded in an intelligence report that was declassified in 2021 that Prince Mohammed accredited Khashoggi’s grotesque homicide.
There isn’t any suggestion that Rumayyan had involvement in or data of the alleged use of the jets within the operation that killed the Washington Post journalist. But the matter might be raised within the upcoming listening to, as might questions in regards to the PIF’s takeover of Newcastle.
Rumayyan may be requested about his monetary relationship with Donald Trump, whose golf properties have hosted LIV occasions.
People acquainted with the PGA’s earlier litigation with LIV Tour – which has been dropped following the announcement of the proposed deal – informed the Guardian that Saudi officers related to the litigation had steadfastly refused to be deposed within the matter, claiming sovereign immunity.
The letter looking for Rumayyan’s in-person attendance on the July listening to was signed by Blumenthal and Ron Johnson, the highest Republican senator on the subcommittee. The govt has till June 28 to verify his look.
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