AL-GHAT, 31 March 2006 — Deputy Interior Minister Prince Ahmad lamented the fact that some of the youth are turning to terror are misguided and fighting Almighty Allah and his Messenger. Prince Ahmad was speaking to the press after attending a function to honor the winners of the Prince Khaled ibn Ahmad Al-Sudairi for academic excellence yesterday in Al-Ghat region.
Prince Ahmad’s comments came after Saudi security forces arrested 40 suspected terrorists in three different operations around the Kingdom in the past two weeks.
He said that those arrested were a group of individuals, but not all were fully aware of the grievous harm they commit by turning to crime. Some of them are lured by misguided zeal. “It is sad that some of our youth who turn to this misguided and devilish direction. They do not realize they are fighting against Almighty Allah and His Messenger who ordered us to protect lives and property.”
“There is no justification for killing innocent and destroying property of the people and the nation. They are incited externally or internally, but whatever the case may be we will put an end to these matters,” he added.
Speaking on the quantity of weapons found along with the terrorists, he said: “The fact is that the country is surrounded by countries where there are weapons piled up in the north and south and the borders of the country are vast and many people attempt to acquire weapons just for the sake of acquiring or because of some old social customs. So it does not mean all the weapons are smuggled in but are accumulated over time. There could also be smuggling because of the vast borders across land and sea and mountains. And it is not easy to guard every inch of it. I believe most of these weapons are accumulated over time.”
Prince Ahmad also said that many of the misguided elements, who had been apprehended earlier, have seen the error of their ways and taken their punishment, adding trials are under way for those who deserve it and names of the gang leaders who deserve publication will be announced, and punishment for some of them will be such that it will deter them and others seeking to follow the wrong path.
“All efforts have been made to show them the right course. At least we have done our duty to the Almighty, to the ruler, to all the people of the country. The Shariah laws in such matters have been explained to them. We have tried our best to guide them and those who have listened to the advice, that’s what we wanted, have been rehabilitated, Prince Ahmad said.
On the proposed reinforcement of border guards in the Al-Ghat region, the prince said this is a crossing region and strengthening of security is necessary as matter of precaution. “Requirements of security call for reinforcement. In the near future we will see great improvement in terms of capabilities in general both in terms of personnel, equipment and training,” he said.
