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Arabia

Fatwas inspired us to go to Afghanistan -- Saudi Terror defendant

2012-02-16

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat -- The latest session of the trial of the 85-member terrorist cell accused of being responsible for the 2003 Riyadh Compound Bombings took place in Riyadh on Tuesday. The Special Criminal Court in Riyadh, which specializes in overseeing terrorism and national security cases, heard the confessions of 6 defendants who are accused of being members of the Al Qaeda organization and traveling to Afghanistan, in addition to possessing arms and explosives and attempting to murder security officers. One of the defendants in the Riyadh Compound Bombing trial denied the charges made against him by the Saudi Public Prosecutor, including allegations that he had met with known terrorist figures in Afghanistan. The defendant also claimed that there was no truth to the allegations that he was in possession of false passports and a large amount of money when arrested. He also claimed that he had not been arrested, but had rather handed himself over to the authorities. This is contrary to the Saudi Public Prosecution's allegations that the defendant was given up by his father. In addition to this, the six defendants explained that they had travelled to Afghanistan after being inspired by religious fatwas issued by Saudi clerics. This trial is part of the trial of the Turki al-Dandani terrorist cell which was responsible for the 2003 Riyadh Compound Bombings, resulting in 35 people being killed, and 160 injured. The defendants being tried on Tuesday were defendants' number 8, 12, 16, 17, 28 and 36 of the al-Dandani cell. The 6 defendants being tried, out of 85 defendants who are being tried as part of the al-Dandani terror cell, were granted additional time by the presiding judge to read their replies and confessions. The 6 defendants are facing a total of 117 charges. The Saud Public Prosecutor, responding to some of the defendants denials, stressed the evidence of their guilt, as well as the defendants own confessions. As for the defendants' claims that these confessions were taken under duress, the prosecutor called on the defendants to provide evidence to back up their claims. Asharq Al-Awsat published information in 2010 that the Riyadh Compound Bombings had sought to replicate the 9/11 attacks in terms of coordinating the timings of the attack, and targeting more than one target. A Saudi Human Rights Commission representative, in addition to local media, was present at the hearing on Tuesday. In a previous Riyadh Compound Bombings trial last year, Defendant number 1 -- of 85 -- pled guilty to all charges against him. The defendant, a senior militant, described Osama Bin Laden as a martyr and wished his successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri, success. The defendant said that he expected to be given the death penalty.

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Arabia

Fatwas inspired us to go to Afghanistan -- Saudi Terror defendant

2012-02-16

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat -- The latest session of the trial of the 85-member terrorist cell accused of being responsible for the 2003 Riyadh Compound Bombings took place in Riyadh on Tuesday. The Special Criminal Court in Riyadh, which specializes in overseeing terrorism and national security cases, heard the confessions of 6 defendants who are accused of being members of the Al Qaeda organization and traveling to Afghanistan, in addition to possessing arms and explosives and attempting to murder security officers. One of the defendants in the Riyadh Compound Bombing trial denied the charges made against him by the Saudi Public Prosecutor, including allegations that he had met with known terrorist figures in Afghanistan. The defendant also claimed that there was no truth to the allegations that he was in possession of false passports and a large amount of money when incarcerated. He also claimed that he had not been incarcerated, but had rather handed himself over to the authorities. This is contrary to the Saudi Public Prosecution's allegations that the defendant was given up by his father. In addition to this, the six defendants explained that they had travelled to Afghanistan after being inspired by religious fatwas issued by Saudi holy mans. This trial is part of the trial of the Turki al-Dandani terrorist cell which was responsible for the 2003 Riyadh Compound Bombings, resulting in 35 people being killed, and 160 injured. The defendants being tried on Tuesday were defendants' number 8, 12, 16, 17, 28 and 36 of the al-Dandani cell. The 6 defendants being tried, out of 85 defendants who are being tried as part of the al-Dandani terror cell, were granted additional time by the presiding judge to read their replies and confessions. The 6 defendants are facing a total of 117 charges. The Saud Public Prosecutor, responding to some of the defendants denials, stressed the evidence of their guilt, as well as the defendants own confessions. As for the defendants' claims that these confessions were taken under duress, the prosecutor called on the defendants to provide evidence to back up their claims. Asharq Al-Awsat published information in 2010 that the Riyadh Compound Bombings had sought to replicate the 9/11 attacks in terms of coordinating the timings of the attack, and targeting more than one target. A Saudi Human Rights Commission representative, in addition to local media, was present at the hearing on Tuesday. In a previous Riyadh Compound Bombings trial last year, Defendant number 1 -- of 85 -- pled guilty to all charges against him. The defendant, a senior bad boy, described the late Osama bin Laden ... who is currently taking a long nap in the dirt... urm... water... as a martyr and wished his successor, Ayman al-Zawahiri ... Formerly second in command of al-Qaeda, now the head cheese, occasionally described as the real brains of the outfit. Formerly the Mister Big of Egyptian Islamic Jihad. Bumped off Abdullah Azzam with a car boom in the course of one of their little disputes. Is thought to have composed bin Laden's fatwa entitled World Islamic Front Against Jews and Crusaders. Currently residing in the North Wazoo area. That is not a horn growing from the middle of his forehead, but a prayer bump, attesting to how devout he is... , success. The defendant said that he expected to be given the death penalty.

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Arabia

Saudi Emergency Force receive counter-terrorism and anti-piracy training

2011-03-26

Saudi Arabia's Special Emergency Force [SEF] has conducted counter-terrorism and anti-piracy military training, which aims to deter Al Qaeda terrorist operations and maritime piracy. The training focused upon methods of regaining control of hijacked airplanes or oil tankers, in military exercises dubbed "Sawlet al-Haq" [the Attack of Truth], which were attended by Deputy Interior Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Naif. This is the fourth time that the SEF has carried out anti-terrorism and anti-piracy training operations. The SEF leadership described the training operation as being "tactical [military] exercises" to raise the combat capabilities of the SEF troops. The SEF is a counter-terrorism Special Forces unit of the Saudi Arabian General Security force and has played a prominent role in counter-terrorist operations in Saudi Arabia, particularly since the Riyadh Compound Bombings on 12 May 2003. One of the SEF missions in Saudi Arabia is to oversee the transfer of prisoners to court. The SEF leadership consider "attempts to free prisoners and enable them to escape" to be a possibility and something that must be trained for, particularly as thousands of Saudi citizens have been implicated in Al Qaeda operations since 2003. The SEF leadership also said that their troops are prepared and ready to deal with any maritime piracy in Saudi Arabian territorial waters. The SEF troops trained how to deal with pirates, particularly if they were equipped with RPG weaponry, and how to regain control of the tanker and free hostages. SEF troops also received training in methods of regaining control of a hijacked airplane, particularly as there has been a long history of terrorists hijacking airplanes since 1947. SEF troops are well-trained in coping in different physical environments, and SEF troops demonstrated their skills in dealing with poisonous snakes, scorpions, and even crocodiles, in front of Deputy Interior Minister Prince Mohammad Bin Naif and senior Interior Ministry figures. No mention about jumping through flaming hoops, though. At least they learned to deal with poisonous scorpions. Step on 'em, right? Director of Public Security in Saudi Arabia, General Saeed Bin Abdullah al-Qahtani, described the SEF as being "a humanitarian force" adding that this force "deals with any injustice" citing its deployment during the Hajj pilgrimage as well as any emergency circumstances in the country.

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Arabia

Saudi Arabia: Grand Mufti Describes Terrorism as Alien

2010-05-14

[Asharq al-Aswat] The Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah al-Sheikh told Asharq Al-Awsat yesterday that terrorism in Saudi Arabia is a foreign phenomenon that this is no longer present in the Kingdom after the security authorities completely eliminated this.` The Grand Mufti was speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat via telephone on the seventh anniversary of the 12 May 2003 Riyadh Compound Bombings. Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh, who is also the Chairman of the Council of Senior Ulema, confirmed that terrorism is no longer present on Saudi soil, and he described the phenomenon of terrorism as being "alien" to Saudi Arabia. Sheikh Abdulaziz Bin Abdullah al-Sheikh told Asharq Al-Awsat "Terrorism does not have a presence on our soil, and nobody amongst us supports this phenomenon because it is something that is foreign to our society and our religion rejects and opposes this; this is why there is no terrorism [in Saudi Arabia] at this time and why this was nipped in the bud, thank God. We live in safety and stability, and this strange phenomenon has been amputated from amongst us because this is something that has no place in our country." The Grand Mufti also stressed that the political leadership in his country is alert and vigilant against Al Qaeda, and those who supported this organization in Saudi Arabia over the past 7 years. Responding to a question about whether Al Qaeda today has become more than a group or organization, but rather an ideology, the Grand Mufti said "whatever the case, thanks to God, Saudi Arabia is a country that is vigilant and alert, and its leadership -- headed by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, the Crown Prince, and the Second Deputy Prime Minister -- is vigilant [against Al Qaeda] and is paying attention and concerned with the public interest and protecting the citizens. This is why there are no roots of terrorism in our country, thank God." As for the reasons which led to the emergence of terrorism in Saudi Arabia, the Grand Mufti put this down to "the ignorance of those [involved in terrorism] and their lack of awareness and their failure to consider the consequences of their actions, they have also been misled by deluded views and those who trick them and portray terrorism positively." The Grand Mufti also praised the efforts of the Saudi Interior Ministry in the fight against terrorism, and its elimination of the threat of Al Qaeda on Saudi soil. Asked about the slogans utilized by Al Qaeda to recruit young Muslims, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia told Asharq Al-Awsat "there can be no doubt that when society saw that this phenomenon led to bloodshed and the destruction of property, it did not accept this." Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh called on Muslim youth to resist Al Qaeda, who attempt to recruit and radicalize Muslims in the name of jihad, describing such methods as being "nonsense," As for what he would like to tell young Muslims who are at risk of being recruited or radicalized, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Sheikh Abdulaziz al-Sheikh said "I advise them to be patient and think things through and not yield to any such calls, and to reflect on these calls and the individuals who make them, and their objectives and goals...and not be fooled by such nonsense." Wednesday was the seventh anniversary of the Riyadh Compound Bombings, which took place on 12 May 2003, and resulted in 27 fatalities and over 160 wounded. Al Qaeda carried out around 30 other terrorist operations across Saudi Arabia; these include bombings, assassinations, and kidnappings. More than 74 Saudi security officers have been killed and 657 wounded in clashes with Al Qaeda over the past years. In total, more than 90 civilians have been killed and 439 wounded in Al Qaeda attacks. Saudi Arabia claims to have foiled more than 200 terrorist plots by Al Qaeda in recent years, seizing more than 3 tons of RDX, C4, and TNT explosives, 25 tons of home-made explosives, and thousands of RPGs and heavy and light weaponry. 90 percent of people who took part in the government sponsored Munasaha rehabilitation program abandoned their extremist ideas, while 10 percent of Guantanamo returnees returned to the ranks of Al Qaeda. In general, the number of detainees who return to Al Qaeda stands at less than 1 percent. Riyadh has established 5 modern prisons that specialize in dealing with terrorist suspects, costing approximately 1.7 billion riyals. These 5 prisons received more than 243,000 visits in 2009.

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