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Saudi Arabia: Defendants on Trial Represent Majority of Al-Qaeda’s Detainees | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat – Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdulaziz has disclosed that the 991 defendants involved in the terrorist operations that hit the Kingdom have been referred to the judiciary while Interior Ministry Spokesman Major General Mansur al-Turki asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat that these represent the majority of the Al-Qaeda organization’s detainees in Saudi jails.

The Saudi interior minister pointed out that those referred to the judiciary helped carry out more than 30 terrorist operations while the security authorities succeeded in foiling 160 terrorist actions since the start of incidents on 12 May 2003.

As a result of the terrorist operations in Saudi Arabia, Prince Naif said they left behind them 74 “martyrs” from the security men who died in the battlefront of glory and honor, while 657 others were injured and the same operations caused the death of 90 innocent civilians and injured 439 others.

Moreover, Maj. Gen. Mansur al-Turki confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the 991 defendants who have been referred to the judiciary represent the overwhelming majority of Al-Qaeda’s detainees held in the country’s jails.

He stressed in his statement to Asharq al-Awsat that all their roles were essential ones in the organization and said: “We cannot, as security services, disregard or ignore any of the roles played by these people.”

A judicial source also stressed to Asharq Al-Awsat that all those involved in the terrorist operations would be tried in Riyadh’s General Court, which it said is “the central court for trying very serious security cases.”

The source, which preferred to remain unidentified, pointed out that the judges appointed to try the terrorist cases would continue to work throughout the week and start by focusing on examining the cases of those involved and which would be referred to the higher court in Riyadh.