Mohammed bin Salman visit to France condemned by journalist unions

French journalist unions, including the SNJ, SNJ-CGT, CFDT-Journalistes, and SGJ-FO, have condemned the visit of Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to France. The unions described the invitation by President Emmanuel Macron as a ‘challenge’ to defenders of press and freedom of expression.

In their statement, the organizations highlighted ongoing legal scrutiny regarding the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. They also noted that, according to Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 18 journalists are currently imprisoned in Saudi Arabia.

The Crown Prince's visit begins with the closing ceremony of the Esports World Cup. Diplomatic discussions between the two leaders are expected to cover security issues, including the Iran-Saudi Arabia crisis and the Strait of Hormuz.