December 30, 2005

THE KILLING OF TWO PEOPLE FROM THE WANTED LIST AFTER A CONFRONTATION WITH THE SECURITY FORCES. ABDUL AZIZ AL-SHAMBARI TALKS ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE AFTER RETURNING FROM LONDON. THE EXECUTION OF A NUMBER OF TERRORISTS IN KUWAIT. THE ARRESTS OF A SYRIAN IN TUENI'S CASE. THE FRENCH PARLIAMENT ADOPTS A TOUGH NEW ANTI-TERRORIST LAW. An official source at the Ministry of Interior said that at nine o'clock, a security patrol carrying out their duties near the City of Pilgrims, east of the city of Buraidah, came under fire from a car leading to the martyrdom of the patrol's personnel consisting of two security men. The same car fired randomly at one of the check points near the province of Mathnab leading to the martyrdom of three security men. The security forces searched for the car. Then, they managed to chase and damage it, shot a person riding in it and arrested him. The incident is still under investigation by security forces and further statement will be issued to explain details. The Ministry of Interior issued details about the terrorist attacks in Qassim Province that resulted in the death of five security men and killing of two terrorist suspects on the Kingdom's 36 most-wanted list published on June 28, 2005. The two security men killed in the drive-by shooting east of the city of Buraidah were identified as Corporal Attalla bin Ali al-Miteiri and Corporal Abdul Rahman bin Mohammed al-Kudeibi. The three security men killed in the drive-by shooting near the town of al-Midhnab were identified as Sergeant Obeid bin Abdullah al-Miteiri, Corporal Sarour bin Mohammed al-Rasheedi and Private Saad bin Damouk al-Miteiri. Security forces pursued the car, and after an exchange of fire, a member of the deviant group was wounded and arrested. He later died in hospital. The terrorist suspect was identified as Mohammed Abdulrahman Alsuwailmi, 23. Alsuwailmi was no 7 on the list of 36 most-wanted. Another suspect fled the area after commandeering a citizen's car at gunpoint. He was later killed in a shootout with security forces in the desert area of Nafud Umm Khashaba, east of al-Midhnab. The second terrorist suspect was identified as Abdulrahman Salih Abdulrahman Almit'eb, 26. Almit'eb was no 4 on the list of 36 most-wanted list. Items recovered from the vehicle include six home-made bombs, three automatic assault weapons, five pistols, a large quantity of ammunition, electronic devices, forged license plates, various documents, jewellery and SR 425,330 [$113,000] in cash. The incident is still under investigation. Almit'eb was wanted for firing at a security patrol along Riyadh-Qassim Highway, including an April 13, 2004 incident which resulted in the death of two security men. Almit'eb operated as a recruit and fundraiser for the deviant group. Alsuwailmi was wanted for firing at security men in the city of Riyadh. Alsuwailmi was a computer expert who used his skills to post the deviant group's messages on the Internet. He also operated as a recruiter for the group, including recruiting his brother Ahmad, who was killed by security forces in clashed in Dammam September 4-7, 2005. On the other hand the return of Abdul Aziz Al-Shambari, 37, to the Kingdom after working with Al-Islah (Reform) Movement led by Saad Al-Faqeeh in London was not part of any deal with the government, his brother Abdullah said. Shambari, who graduated from a US university, arrived at Jeddah airport and was received by his family members including wife and three children. Saudi authorities did not arrest or interrogate him on arrival. "My brother was very happy when he united with his family after two years and four months," Abdullah told Asharq Al-Awsat, a sister publication of Arab News. "Abdul Aziz returned to the country after introspection. It was not the result of a government deal as some people try to propagate. He is ready to talk about his association with Al-Islah during the past two years," Abdullah added. Shambari has repented for every day he had spent with Al-Islah, an organization of Saudi dissidents, Abdullah said, adding that the group had cheated a number of Saudis by spreading false information. "Al-Islah intends to fish in troubled waters," Shambari was quoted as saying. Shambari said he took the decision to leave the organization on his on without any pressure from government or family. "Abdul Aziz is now leading a normal life. Yesterday he toured Jeddah with his wife and children who had come from Taif," Abdullah said. Shambari, a former employee of Saudi Arabian Airlines, left the Kingdom on Sept. 20, 2003. Abdullah, who had gone to London to accompany Shambari, said he had not met with Faqeeh. "My brother had left Faqeeh long time ago when he discovered that his organization was a false," Abdullah said. "While Abdul Aziz was with Al-Islah, the government did not put any pressure on the family," he said, adding that the authorities had issued passports to his wife and children when they wanted to travel. Abdullah said his brother had disclosed his intention to return about six months ago. Um Nama, wife of Shambari, said the return of her husband was not a surprise for her as he realized that Al-Islah was working to undermine the Kingdom's security and stability. "I hope he will be able to perform Haj this time in order to cleanse his sins and lead a new life," she added. Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper conducted the following interview with the former Saudi Dissident Abdulaziz Al (Asharq Al-Awsat) There have been some rumors about a deal between you and the Saudi Government, something which your brother denied when he spoke to us. However, what is the truth? Did a deal really take place? (Al- Shambari) What my brother said is true: There is no such deal. For your information, so far I have not talked to any official quarter or any Saudi official in the Kingdom or outside it, with the exception of the Saudi embassy in London for the purpose of making the travel arrangements. If there has been a bargain or a deal, then why with me specifically? I reaffirm that what I did is no more than having realized the truth after I have seen many changes. (Asharq Al-Awsat) But what are those changes? (Al- Shambari) The current action that is taking place in Saudi Arabia on all political, economic, and especially social levels -- and the social level was originally the basis of our activity in the Islamic movement -- and the fast changes that are taking place in the Kingdom. Every day we see new projects that augur well for the future. All those changes have compelled me to reconsider my personal views and decisions. The country has begun to witness an awakening on all levels. (Asharq Al-Awsat) Have you been subjected to pressure from the Reform Movement to which you belonged in the past to make you go back on your decision to return to Saudi Arabia? (Al- Shambari) Not at all. In fact, I was not waiting for the approval of the (Reform) movement or anyone else because above all it is a decision based on my personal conviction. On the contrary, I find it is an opportunity to call on the youth in the movement to pause for a moment of truth with themselves. (Asharq Al-Awsat) During the period you spent in London, what were your expectations of Saudi Arabia? (Al- Shambari) It would not be a secret if I tell you that I came to Saudi Arabia imagining it had become poor, and its streets have been turned into military barracks. I did not see what I had imagined. That was perhaps because I had misleading information or because members of the movement -- or even I myself -- had misjudged many things. That is because when a person speaks and sees things from one side only he is restricted within one circle and sees one aspect only. However, if his understanding and horizon is expanded and he was prepared to see matters from more than one side, and to view things honestly and truthfully, and look at the future and the people for whom he is responsible, then he will definitely change his beliefs. (Asharq Al-Awsat) There are many lists of the names of persons which your movement had published. What is the truth about those lists, especially as they were condemned by some of the individuals whose names were included in the lists? (Al- Shambari) These are detailed matters which I do not want to go into. I believe there are competent quarters concerned to find the truth about such matters and which perhaps will be inevitably revealed later. (Asharq Al-Awsat) You mean you cannot go into them because of security considerations? (Al- Shambari) Perhaps, but what is important in my being reticent about the subject is to calm down many matters. (Asharq Al-Awsat) And the attempt to assassinate the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah Bin-Abdulaziz Al Saud when he was crown prince in which the Reform Movement was involved? Do you have any details about it? (Al- Shambari) You have to excuse me, but I cannot go into that matter. (Asharq Al-Awsat) However, your brother told us yesterday that you will be providing a number of details? (Al- Shambari) I will not object to provide anything that serves the country and the nation and safeguards national unity to the quarters that are interested in that aspect. (Asharq Al-Awsat) Do you think the details you will provide contain crucial matters? (Al- Shambari) It is up to the officials to assess that. (Asharq Al-Awsat) Do you seek to engage in any political activity inside Saudi Arabia? (Al- Shambari) Not at all. I have not thought of that. There are many things that happened and decisions that have been made in the past period, and these were among the things that prompted me to rethink my stand lately. (Asharq Al-Awsat) Thus if you are allowed to carry out political or trade unionist activity inside Saudi Arabia you will not do so? (Al- Shambari) I believe such matters have been dispelled and we do not need them. The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques has been clear on many issues, and there is tangible combating of the corruption and authoritarianism which we believed existed. There is no need to engage in such (political) activities. (Asharq Al-Awsat) Will the coming days see the return of others from your previous (Reform) movement, and will any of them retreat? (Al- Shambari) I am not sure exactly. However, I believe some of them are at a loss and I hope they will return to the right path soon. in Kuwait a Kuwaiti court sentences to death six militants, members of the "Peninsula Lions" group, affiliated with al Qaeda. The six were amongst 37 Islamists on trial. They include 25 Kuwaitis, seven stateless Arabs, two Jordanians, a Saudi, an Australian and a Somali. Prosecutors had demanded the death penalty for some 20 suspects for their role in four shootouts in January in which eight Islamists and four security personnel were killed. The unprecedented incidents shook the normally tranquil emirate. Other suspects received jail terms between four months to 15 years and one received a life term. Seven were acquitted, including Islamic cleric Sheikh Hamed al Ali, former leader of the Salafi group in Kuwait, and lawyer Osama al Munawer who represents Islamists. Talal Qadri, an Australian citizen received 4 years in jail. None of the defendants were present when the verdicts were read out. "I thank God. I've believed in my innocence all along," al Munawer said after the charges against him were dropped. Judge Hani Hamdan read out the guilty verdict against "three Kuwaitis and three stateless" suspects who were each sentenced to death. They are, Mohammad Saad bin Aoun, 21, Ahmad Musameh al Materi, 20, Abdullah Said al Shamri, 22, all Kuwaiti nationals, as well as Ahmad al Anzi, 20, Mohammad al Shamri, 21, and Saleh Khalaf, 24, who are stateless. Mohammad al Ajani, 32, a Kuwaiti national, was sentenced to life imprisonment. The suspects were charged with belonging to a group affiliated to al Qaeda and participating in four shootouts with the security forces in January in which eight Islamists and four policemen were killed. Ten policemen were also injured in the confrontations, unprecedented in Kuwait. The alleged leader of the group, Amer Khaleef al Anzi, a former imam, died while in custody on 8 February 2005, after being arrested following clashes between Peninsula Lions members and the police. His younger brother Nasser was killed in gun battles with the Kuwaiti security forces the previous day. Nuha al Unzi, the wife of Amer al Anazi, who is ill with cancer, was freed after paying $1,700 bail money. The prosecution had demanded the death penalty against 34 suspects. Ten militants were tired in absentia. Public prosecutor Saud al Saneh had accused the men of belonging to a terrorist organization "The Peninsula Lions", affiliated to al Qaeda, and planning "terrorist attacks in Kuwait with the help of suicide combers who came from outside". The Peninsula Lions planned to "overthrow the regime and attack foreign troops stationed in Kuwait. It smuggled arms into Iraq and made a large quantity of explosives", he added. Islamist groups in Kuwait had strongly denounced the group and accused it of endangering national security. Muhsin al Fadhli and Khaled al Dossari, both Kuwaitis, were sentenced in absentia for 10 years and Mohammad al Harbi received a 7-year sentence. The Saudi Salman Hamd al Shamri was found guilty in absentia and sentenced to 15 years. The defense had argued that the suspects were planning to go to Iraq and asked for leniency from the court. Lawyers claimed the suspects were tortured and had confessed under duress. The prosecution denies this. Meanwhile Lebanon has arrested a suspect in the killing of anti-Syrian newspaper owner Gibran Tueni, judicial sources said. Syrian-born Abdul Qadir Abdul Qadir is being questioned about phone calls made immediately before and after the bombing that killed Tueni. He reportedly rents a plot of land near the scene of the killing, which took place in east Beirut on 12 December. Tueni was the third anti-Syrian figure to be killed since the assassination of former PM Rafiq Hariri in February. A United Nations investigation has implicated Syrian officials in Hariri's death - Damascus has denied involvement in that and the subsequent attacks. Mr Abdul Qadir was arrested on a warrant issued by military magistrate Rashid Mezher, who had previously questioned him, the judicial sources said. They added that the magistrate had asked for Mr Abdul Qadir, a scrap dealer, to be held at military justice headquarters in Beirut. This is the first reported arrest in the killing that shocked Lebanon. Gibran Tueni was killed a massive car bomb attack as he was travelling through the Christian-dominated area of Beirut. The blast was so powerful it blew his armour-plated car off the small mountain road and sent it rolling down the hill. The body of Tueni and three others were recovered several hundred metres away from the blast site. Tueni was managing editor of the leading liberal An-Nahar newspaper, and an outspoken critic of Syria's occupation of Lebanon. The 48-year-old - who had recently remarried and was the father of twins - was elected to parliament in June. A Pakistani lower court has acquitted a British national of Pakistani origin of charges related to the July 7 multiple bomb attacks on London's public transport system, a news report said. Judge Mohsin Ali Turk of the trial court in Peshawar, the capital of the North-Western Frontier Province (NWFP), ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the charges against Zeeshan Siddiqui, English newspaper "Daily Times" reported. Siddiqui had been arrested in May 2005 on charges of "impersonation and possession of a fake identity card" but was later also seen as a possible suspect for alleged links to the bombers who killed 52 people in attacks on the London underground trains. "Thank God, I have been proved innocent," Siddiqui told the newspaper, alleging that he was severely tortured and treated as "enemy of Pakistan". Siddiqui claimed he was arrested on May 17 from a village some 40 kilometres north of Peshawar for alleged links with al-Qaeda, though the arrests were made under different charges. The British investigation had claimed that three of the four suicide bombers had visited Pakistan in 2005 and at least one of them stayed at a religious seminary in eastern Lahore city that belonged to a banned militant outfit. In Dhaka Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has said her government will show no mercy and ruled out the possibility of general amnesty to the Islamist militants blamed for a series of suicide bomb attacks. The prime minister made the remarks when a delegation of the Federation of NGOs (non-governmental organizations) Bangladesh met her as part of the ongoing national dialogue on united dealing with Islamist militants. "At this moment, there is no question of granting the Islamist militants general amnesty. The government is taking every necessary steps, including amending the existing laws, to stop the militant's attacks. They will be brought to book." Meanwhile, the government is taking tighter and more stringent security measures than that witnessed in the past years on the occasion of celebrating Christmas and the New Year's Day due to the looming fear of bomb attacks by JMB. In Paris the French parliament has adopted a tough new anti-terrorist law inspired by British measures used to identify the bombers who carried out the July bomb attacks in London. Deputies voted 202 to 122 in favour of the law, which will increase video surveillance of railways stations, airports and other public areas, permit official snooping of Internet and mobile telephone records, and lengthen the period of detention for terrorist suspects. Civil rights groups and left-wing opposition parties have expressed concern over the law, which they fear gives authorities too much power to invade citizens' privacy and encourages confusion between immigration and terrorism. The opposition Socialist Party said it would challenge the law in the Constitutional Council, the court which determines whether legislation abides by France's 1958 constitution. The law was championed by Interior Minister Nicolas Sarkozy, a hard-line conservative politician with hopes of succeeding President Jacques Chirac in 2007 elections. He has said that it was drawn up partly with Britain's experience during and after the July attacks in mind and aims to improve France's legislative arsenal to prevent "a catastrophe". British investigators' used video footage to identify the alleged suicide bombers who killed themselves and 52 people on three London subway trains and a double-decker bus on July 7. It was also used to track down a copycat group that failed in its attempt to create similar mayhem on July 21. The law paves the way for increased use of surveillance cameras in public spaces such as train stations, churches and mosques, shops, factories or nuclear plants. Internet and mobile phone operators will be required to keep records of client connections for one year under its provisions, and officials will have greater authority to conduct identity checks on cross-border trains and to automatically monitor vehicles. Police will have wider access to previously confidential customer information from rail, maritime and air transport companies. Local authorities will have the right to ban certain individuals from entering sporting stadiums. Terrorist suspects can also be kept in custody for a maximum of six days without being put under formal, criminal investigation. The previous duration was four days. Longer prison terms for people convicted of terrorism crimes will also be introduced. The law extended existing anti-terrorism legislation in France that was already considered among the toughest in the 25-nation European Union, particularly with its catch-all offense of "criminal association in relation with a terrorist enterprise".