Softbank CEO Decries Journalist's Death, Defends Saudi Fund

SoftBank Group Corp. Chief Executive Masayoshi Son denounced Monday the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi, but defended the Japanese technology giant’s investment fund, which includes Saudi money, as work that needs to be finished.

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Speaking at an earnings news conference, Son called the death an attack on “a precious life but also on journalism and the freedom of speech.”

Son is partnering with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and about half of his $100 billion Vision Fund, established in 2016, comes from the kingdom. The fund has been investing in various companies, solar projects and artificial intelligence.

Khashoggi, a 59-year-old columnist for The Washington Post, was killed at the Saudi Consulate in Turkey on Oct. 2, although details are still unclear.

“It is a reality a horrible act has happened. But we cannot just turn our backs on our work,” Son said. He said the investment in his fund came from the Saudi “people.”