RIYADH, 23 April 2004 — The Kingdom’s grand mufti said yesterday the perpetrators of Wednesday’s deadly blast would “burn in hell” for killing innocent Muslims in the attack.

“God has promised wrath, damnation, painful torture and an eternity burning in hell for those who deliberately kill a Muslim... Unjustly killing a Muslim is the gravest crime and cannot be atoned for,” Abdul Aziz Al-Asheikh said after visiting blast victims at Central Hospital here.

At least five people were killed and 148 injured in the suicide bombing of buildings of special security forces and the Traffic Department. Some 83 out of the 148 injured were taken to Central Hospital, where one succumbed to his injuries and five are still in the intensive care unit.

The grand mufti, who was consoling the injured soldiers, told them their act of bravery would be rewarded by God and their services and sacrifices honored by the state and all true Muslims. Al-Asheikh said the attack must not be considered jihad since it had nothing to do with religion.

“This was an act of sin, and Almighty Allah will punish all those who were responsible for this devastation, which has taken innocent lives and distressed numerous families,” he said in a statement.

The grand mufti added, “Aiding, calling for, or facilitating the murder of a Muslim is tantamount to involvement in murder and all who do so will be thrown by God into the flames of hell, for so dear is the sanctity of Muslim blood.”

A group calling itself the Al-Haramein Brigade has claimed responsibility for the attack. The group had admitted to blowing up a car belonging to a senior security officer in Riyadh last year.