Riyadh - Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef Bin Abdel Aziz
confirmed Tuesday that the trial of 991 terrorist suspects is
underway.
The number is significantly higher than the 70 defendants reported
in Saudi media Monday. Legal proceedings are believed to have started
on Monday.
The minister said the defendants were responsible for more than 30
attacks in the conservative Muslim kingdom since May 2003, the Saudi
News agency reported.
'The kingdom has been the target of an unprecedented terror
attacks campaign that included bombings, assassinations, abduction
and intimidation,' Prince Nayef said.
He added that the attacks caused 74 deaths and 657 injuries among
security personnel. They also killed nine civilians, while injuring
439.
Another 160 attacks were thwarted, Prince Nayef said.
The defendants have been described as 'terror suspects of Al-Qaeda
militants, arrested for taking part in a series of terrorist
attacks.'
'All the people involved are implementers, inciters and
supporters,' the al-Riyadh newspaper reported Monday. It added that
the defendants may include men who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq as
well as militants extradited to Saudi Arabia recently from other
countries.
Iraq handed over eight Saudi prisoners last month.
The Arab News daily, citing interior ministry officials, also
reported Monday that the defendants include some people who are
thought to have helped the terrorists by providing refuge, transport
and funds.
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