RIYADH: Five Saudis wanted on terrorism and sabotage charges have been extradited to the Kingdom by Yemeni authorities, the Interior Ministry confirmed yesterday.
“Yemen had handed over to us five Saudi nationals, but the name of only one — Abdullah Abdul Rahman Muhammad Al-Harbi — figures in the Kingdom’s wanted list,” said Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, referring to the Kingdom’s list of 85 suspected terrorists. “The other four men have nothing to do with the list. Investigations are under way at the moment.”
Al-Turki said that Interpol has disseminated details of the 85 most wanted Saudis to its member countries, but he would not offer more details about a report that 35 of these suspects are in Iran plotting attacks.
“Interpol has asked every member country to help in arresting these suspects,” said Al-Turki. “I can say only this much on this question.”
A report carried by Arabic daily Ashraq Al-Awsat said that the militants based in Iran are plotting attacks against Saudi and Jordanian targets. The name of Saleh Al-Qarawi, who had strong ties with slain Al-Qaeda chief in Iraq Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, appears as one of the most important suspects and is thought to be in charge of the group’s activities in Iran.
The Lyon-based Interpol has published the largest ever single issue of so-called Interpol Red Notices (notices seeking the arrest of suspects with a view to extradition) at the request of Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Riyadh following the publication of the Saudi list.
In a statement posted on its website, Interpol says Red Notices are sent to all of the global police organization’s 187 member countries, includes identifying details of each of the terror suspects, to help law enforcement officers worldwide in their search, arrest and eventual extradition.
“By asking for Interpol’s assistance, Saudi Arabia has ensured that all Interpol member countries are made aware that these men are dangerous not only for Saudi Arabia but for the entire world,” the Interpol statement said.
Yemen and Saudi Arabia have in recent years swapped dozens of suspects under a security agreement signed by the two countries in 2004. In February, Yemen extradited to Saudi Arabia Al-Qaeda member Mohammed Al-Awfi after he turned himself in to Yemeni authorities.
Two suspected members of an Al-Qaeda cell, including a Saudi national, were killed after police raided a house in Sanaa on Jan. 19.
In August, Yemen said it had detained 30 suspected Al-Qaeda members believed to have been plotting joint attacks in Saudi Arabia, Yemen and other countries.
