JEDDAH, 6 June 2007 — Security forces have arrested three members of a deviant group responsible for running extremist and terrorist websites, the Interior Ministry announced yesterday.
The websites espoused an ideology of “takfeer” — the labeling by extremists of all who do not agree with their version of Islam as infidels. Two of the men are Saudis and the third is an expatriate resident of Madinah, the statement said. The statement said, “Security forces arrested a national calling himself ‘Abu Aseed Al-Falouji’ who ran a highly organized site aimed at recruiting youths by using special effects to attract them.”
His prominence on the Internet made him a link between deviant groups in the country and sympathizers outside, the statement explained.
It added that in addition to publishing the extremist propaganda and providing links to both individuals and groups, Al-Falouji assisted in the preparation and promotion of terrorist operations and sought financial assistance and funding inside the Kingdom.
He used his knowledge of computer technology to cover his tracks on the Internet and played a vital role in coordinating links and communication between deviant groups in different parts of the world. When Al-Falouji was arrested, more than 40 gigabytes of video and print material was confiscated. Among the material were video footage and printed matter relating to terrorism and previous terrorist acts in the Kingdom. There was also footage of how the deviants collected and moved money, how to prepare and transport explosives in addition to how to rig cars with bombs and explosives.
The material also made clear their current strategy in targeting natural resources, disturbing national security and their methods of spreading their “takfeer” ideology.
Clear links were seen between international promoters of “takfeer” and local organizations that result from them. Further investigations into Al-Falouji’s activities revealed the danger and importance of the material relating to future terrorist operations planned by the group inside and outside the Kingdom. The second man mentioned in the statement is a Saudi who calls himself “Abu Abdullah Al-Najdi.” The statement said that he, along with others, was attempting to set up a new version of the website “Sawt Al-Jihad” — the voice of jihad.
The material published on the site is of the “takfeeri” ideology and its main aim is to target national resources, especially oil facilities.
Evidence linked him to a number of terrorist acts committed in the country.
The third man arrested is a resident of Madinah and his website, “Sada Al-Jihad” — the echo of jihad — calls for destruction and labels individuals as infidels.
The ministry said that investigations were still under way.
