RIYADH, 17 September — Saudi Arabia has appointed lawyers for the Saudis detained in the United States in connection with last week’s terror attacks, Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal has confirmed.
A number of Saudi citizens have been detained by US authorities for questioning. “We have been informed of their detention. We are immediately informed whenever a Saudi citizen is detained for questioning,” he said.
The Saudi Embassy in Washington appointed the lawyers to help the Saudi citizens under investigation. “We are following the legal issues very closely. The Americans are aware of this and are abiding by the procedures of American law in connection with detention and interrogation.
“We only want them not to use oppressive procedures... and we expect this. We have appointed lawyers for Saudis who may be facing problems,” he added.
“If a Saudi is released from detention when he is found not to have had any links with the attacks, we get a written apology from US authorities,” he added.
Prince Saud confirmed that a number of Saudis living in the United States have been a target of harassment, but cautioned that the US administration is doing all it can to protect them.
“All Saudis in the United States should contact the Saudi Embassy in Washington or other consulates whenever they face any problem. They will be given every assistance from the embassy officials,” he added. The Kingdom has not yet been informed of any Saudi casualties in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but the government was following the situation.
Prince Saud reiterated the Kingdom’s readiness to participate in the international fight against terrorism. “This is not the duty of Saudi Arabia or America alone. It is an international duty, because terrorism targets all people,” he said.
