JEDDAH, 28 October 2007 — Who would have imagined that Saad Zafer Al-Shehri, a young Saudi who used to sell honey in Al-Namas, one of the most beautiful villages in Asir, would become an Al-Qaeda member?
In fact, in a report published in Al-Riyadh newspaper, Al-Shehri became an ardent follower of Osama Bin Laden — the world’s most wanted man — and even took up arms in Afghanistan.
Before 9/11, Al-Shehry, with a group of friends, traveled to Afghanistan and fought against the Northern Alliance. “Before the incidents of Sept. 11, traveling was much easier than now. First we went to Syria and then to Iran and then to Afghanistan,” he said.
The young Saudi remained in Afghanistan for around a year undergoing intense training in firearms. “I didn’t deal directly with Osama Bin Laden, each battalion has its own leader. There were a lot of battalions from different Arab countries and they all follow Osama Bin Laden. So wherever we go, we take the orders from our direct leaders and they take their orders from Bin Laden,” he said, adding that his battalion was sent to north Afghanistan to fight the Northern Alliance led by Ahmad Shah Masood.
After fighting there for some time, Al-Shehri returned to Saudi Arabia where he joined a terrorist group. His name eventually appeared in an Interior Ministry list of wanted terrorists.
“I knew some of those who appeared on the most wanted list. I met them in Afghanistan. They included people like Osman Al-Amri, Muhammad Osman Al-Shehri, and Muhammad Shazaf Al-Shehri,” he said. “Not all of them returned with me. Some of them stayed, some were killed in the American bombings and some were detained at Guantanamo Bay,” he added.
After Sept, 11, 2001, Al-Shehri was arrested for questioning. After his release, he disappeared for 10 months, during which the deviant group undertook several attacks and bombings in Riyadh.
“After I was released, I got married for the first time. I currently have two wives. I was arrested on the fourth day of my marriage but soon released. At that time, I was still in contact with some friends who came back with me from Afghanistan. I knew about what they were planning but I didn’t participate in any of these operations,” he said.
“I then disappeared for 10 months when the bombing in Al-Muhiya Compound took place. I then decided to turn myself in to authorities and it was a month before the month-long royal amnesty,” said Al-Shehri.
“I turned myself in with the help of Sheikh Safr Al-Hawali, who worked hard in helping me to turn myself in. Prince Muhammad ibn Naif, assistant interior minister for security affairs, promised me during a meeting with him that I would be treated well. I was then transferred to Taif police station for questioning. After being released, I met Prince Muhammad ibn Naif again,” said Al-Shehri.
“The meeting with Prince Muhammad was very relaxed. He listened to my opinion very carefully. I suggested a number of things to help improve the conditions of the Saudi youth. I was finally released,” he added.
“I returned to my old job of selling honey in Al-Namas. I also had a third child on Ramadan 29 and named him Muhammad after Prince Muhammad, who supported me and helped me so much,” said Al-Shehri.
