JEDDAH, 1 August 2004 — The wife of Eisa Al-Awshan — one of the most wanted terror suspects who was killed in a shootout in Riyadh on July 21 — surrendered to authorities last Thursday night, Arab News has learned.

Her whereabouts were not known for the past six months ever since her husband visited her father’s house and picked her up along with their children,

Abdul Rahman Al-Jubrein, the woman’s brother commented.

“She gave herself up at her father’s house on Thursday night. We called Prince Muhammad ibn Naif,” he added.

The wife’s brother said Prince Muhammad, assistant interior minister for security affairs, told them that if there is any interrogation it would take place in her father’s house “in keeping with the woman’s honor and dignity.”

Al-Jubrien said his sister had not contacted her family during her absence. She is currently in her father’s house and has not been arrested by police.

He also said that Sheikh Safar Al-Hawali, a religious scholar who has mediated the surrender of wanted terror suspect Othman Al-Amri during the period of amnesty last month, helped by making several calls to authorities.

“I would like to thank Saudi authorities especially Interior Minister Prince Naif, Riyadh Governor Prince Salman and Prince Muhammad ibn Naif for their dealing with this issue in the most humane way,” Al-Jubrein said.

The man’s brother-in-law, Eisa Al-Awshan, was shot and killed on July 21 during a raid in Riyadh’s King Fahd District.

Al-Awshan and other terror suspects opened fire on security officers as they surrounded their villa where many terror suspects and their families were living. Another terror suspect was also killed in the shootout.

Al-Awshan, a Saudi, was No. 13 on the Interior Ministry’s list of 26 most wanted terrorists.

Twelve members on the list are still at large. The others have either been killed in clashes or have surrendered.

Security forces rushed to a villa on Abi Razi Street after a loud explosion was heard, reportedly caused by a hand-made grenade being prepared by the suspects. A fierce gun battle erupted after security officers besieged the area.

Unconfirmed reports said that Saleh Muhammad Al-Oufi, the alleged Al-Qaeda chief in Saudi Arabia, managed to escape.

Saudi authorities are keeping Saleh Al-Oufi’s family in custody after the shootout, the Ministry of Interior stated, as it was evident that Al-Oufi had been living in the villa along with his family.