Trial of al-Qaeda terror suspects starts in Saudi Arabia

Oct 20, 2008, 13:37 GMT

Riyadh - The trial of Al-Qaeda militants, arrested for taking part in a series of terrorist attacks around Saudi Arabia, started on Monday in Riyadh, according to Saudi media reports.

'The General Court in Riyadh has set up a 10-member panel to look into the cases of 70 terrorists including Saudis and foreigners,' the Saudi daily al-Riyadh newspaper reported.

'All the people involved are implementers, inciters and supporters,' al-Riyadh said, adding the defendents 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 Saudi Interior Ministry officials, also reported that militants facing trial include those who were allegedly directly involved in attacks and those who are thought to have helped the terrorists by providing refuge, transport and funds.

Arab News said the 70 terror suspects including Saudis and foreigners were accused of being involved in terrorist attacks that killed 200 people as well as 70 security officers.

Last June, the Interior Ministry announced the arrests of hundreds of militants for plotting to carry out terrorist attacks.

Some of the detainees, according to the ministry, were planning to stage terrorist attacks on oil fields and other vital installations.

The kingdom began its crackdown on Al-Qaeda since 2003.