JEDDAH, 7 August 2006 — The long-awaited trial of suspected militants involved in a series of terror operations across the Kingdom during the past three years will begin soon, said an informed source close to the Justice Ministry. The trial will take place in special courts.
Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, the source said the suspects would be tried on the basis of charges made against them by the Ministry of Interior and that they would be allowed to have lawyers to defend them.
Interior Minister Prince Naif has stated that terror suspects will be tried in special state security courts. However, the source said the special courts were no different from existing ones in terms of judicial procedures. He also emphasized that suspects would be allowed to appeal in a higher court against the verdict of the special courts.
The Justice Ministry set up three special courts in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam a few months ago in preparation for the trial.
Justice Minister Dr. Abdullah Al-Asheikh said the new courts would follow the existing justice system. The media will be allowed to follow the trial, Asharq Al-Awsat said quoting the ministry source. Judges of the three state security courts will not look into other cases and will concentrate on terror-related cases.
Al-Asheikh previously clarified that the formation of special courts does not mean they are outside the framework of general judicial procedures or that they deny defendants their rights. The courts will also allow foreign observers at the trial.
As many as 22 terrorist attacks have taken place in the Kingdom since May 2003, killing 90 civilians, including expatriates, and injuring 507 others. Fifty-two police officers have also lost their lives and 213 were wounded during armed confrontation with terrorists.
Ninety-two terrorists died and 17 others sustained injuries during gun battles with police and as a result of suicide attacks.
The total value of material losses caused by terror attacks in the Kingdom is estimated at more than SR1 billion.
Saudi security forces have won international acclaim for their success in confronting Al-Qaeda terrorists and have foiled about 90 terror attacks by carrying out pre-emptive operations without causing any civilian fatalities.
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah took a firm stand against the Al-Qaeda militants and declared that they would be wiped out in the Kingdom, no matter how long it took. Groups of citizens from different parts of the Kingdom visited the king to reaffirm their support for the government’s efforts to defeat militants and extremists.
The interior minister warned those who support and sympathize with Al-Qaeda terrorists. “All those who try to mislead youth or push them into committing acts that are in no way connected with Islam will be liable to a legal penalty,” he added. “We are glad when we capture some wanted suspects alive not only because we obtain leads from them to arrest other members of the deviant group and uncover terrorist plots but also because of the possibility of rehabilitating them,” Prince Naif said in an earlier statement.
