RIYADH, 16 February 2004 — Security forces are getting closer to recovering the wanted GMC Suburban car full of explosives that could, according to a statement from the Ministry of Interior, lead to a “terrorist act”.
A source in the Ministry of Interior told Arab News yesterday that since the ministry made public the description of the wanted GMC car, it has received some 2,000 calls. “Of those calls, eight of them, were precise descriptions,” added the source.
The calls made by citizens are helping security forces intensify their check-ups in certain districts in the capital, mainly in the Rawdah district. The source also said that those who try to mislead security officers or help the drivers of the wanted vehicle would be severely punished. Punishments include imprisonment, severe interrogation, or a fine. The ministry also warned car workshop owners to be on the lookout for such a vehicle in an attempt for the owner of the GMC car to change its color or description.
Meanwhile, security forces have erected new security checkpoints in several areas of the city and at all entrances and exits of the capital in an effort to catch the wanted GMC car and terror suspects. There are now security checkpoints on the Riyadh-Dammam road, Riyadh-Qasim road, Riyadh-Kharj road, as well as the east ring road and the north ring road in the capital.
On Saturday, the ministry posted a reward of SR7 million to anyone who supplied information leading to the detention of the GMC Suburban car.
Descriptions about the wanted GMC Suburban car in the statement sent by the ministry to the local press said the vehicle was carrying the license plate number 034 and was a 1991 model, with a lead-gray exterior and burgundy interior.
