Thread by @propublica

1/ Saudi diplomats in the U.S. have helped Saudi students and others accused of crimes evade prosecution and flee — all while U.S. officials look the other way.

Here’s how it happens, according to current and former national security officials. 👇🏽👇🏽 propub.li/2UXafdT

2/ In 2016, a speeding Saudi college student struck and killed a Portland teen. The Saudi consulate gave him $100k to cover his $1 million bail.

He surrendered his passport & driver's license to DHS officials, @Oregonian reported. expo.oregonlive.com/news/erry-2018…

3/ In June 2017, two weeks before he was supposed to go on trial, U.S. officials say this black SUV picked him up at home and whisked him away.

His ankle bracelet was found by the roadside. A week later, he was back in Saudi Arabia and safe from extradition.

He’s not alone.

4/ Agents say Saudi intelligence officers at the Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission, an educational and cultural center in VA, are assigned to monitor tens of thousands of Saudi students around the U.S. for any political activities. But…

5/ Those officers may also be the ones helping Saudis accused of crimes by U.S. authorities get away.

And we’re *not* talking little crimes…

6/ For 10 yrs+, there have been several cases of Saudi students accused of serious crimes (like rape and manslaughter) mysteriously disappearing while facing prosecution.

A spokesperson @SaudiEmbassyUSA said the embassy has “strictly adhered” to U.S. law in helping its citizens

7/ The Saudi government admits to posting bail and hiring lawyers for accused Saudis but insists it broke no U.S. laws to help them.

So, how did more than 20 Saudi fugitives get back home? It won’t say anything about that. propub.li/2UXafdT

8/ In 2005, there were fewer than 5,000 Saudi students in the U.S. A decade later, the count was more than 80,000. Those accused of crimes are a tiny fraction...

9/ U.S. agents say Saudi operatives have helped fugitives by replacing confiscated passports (a claim Saudi officials deny) and arranging travel back home, sometimes via Mexico.

10/ And for years, the @FBI, @DHSgov and @StateDept have avoided confronting the Saudis.

We turned to some former officials to try and understand why. propub.li/2UXafdT

11/ Still, U.S. law enforcement agencies only have a sketchy understanding of how some Saudi suspects escaped the U.S. and the role that Saudi operatives played.

We’re trying to fill those gaps. Do you know anything? propub.li/2ILcQkA

12/ And! We’ll be keeping on this story. Want to see where we end up? Get notified by signing up for our Big Story newsletter. go.propublica.org/bigstory-social