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Saudi Arabia: New Most Wanted List Issued
The Soddies iced most of the 26 on the first list, then kicked over a rock and found 36 more "deviants" squirming away.
Saudi Arabia yesterday issued a new list of 36 suspects believed to be linked to a series of terror attacks across the country, reflecting the government’s resolve to go ahead with its anti-terror campaign. In the latest response to a two-year campaign of bombings and killings by supporters of the Al-Qaeda terror network, the Interior Ministry broadcast pictures of the suspects on state television and offered hefty rewards for their capture. “Security authorities managed to uncover plans by the deviant group who used themselves as a tool to distort Islam and harm the security of the country,” the ministry said in a statement. The ministry offered a bounty of up to SR7 million for anyone who helps capture a terrorist or foil an attack. Most of the wanted men on the new list are Saudis while some are from Chad, Yemen, Morocco and Mauritania. Fifteen are believed to be at large inside Saudi Arabia while 21 are outside the Kingdom. Speaking to Arab News, Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, Interior Ministry spokesman, said the ministry released the new list after thorough investigations. Referring to the suspects outside the Kingdom, Al-Turki said: “We don’t have information on their whereabouts, but we know they have fled the Kingdom.”

Saudi analyst Faris ibn Houzam said that of those outside Saudi Arabia, most were likely to be in neighboring Iraq. “The issue for the government is when those fighters in Iraq return to Saudi Arabia,” he told Arab News. This is the first time the government has issued a list of terrorists outside of the Kingdom, he said. “By releasing the list, the ministry is giving an early warning on the men,” he added. “The list also proved that terrorists in the Kingdom have been receiving outside support.” He also pointed out that many terrorists fled the Kingdom as a result of the government’s fierce campaign against the militants.

Saudi security consultant Nawaf Obaid said most of the Saudis — who made up 29 of the 36 names on the new list — were “second tier” militants who had worked under more senior operatives, most of whom have been killed or captured. All but two men on a previous Saudi list of 26 wanted men, published in December 2003, are believed dead or in custody. The non-Saudis are wanted by Saudi Arabia but “also represent a threat in their native countries” because they have gained access to money, logistics and training, Obaid said.

The ministry called on the wanted men to surrender, saying this would be “taken into consideration when looking into their case.” The statement, which was carried by the Saudi Press Agency, said the families of the suspects as well as the countries of foreign suspects have been informed that the government is searching for them. “Through information retrieved from those who had taken part in the terrorist attacks since May 12, 2003, it was able to reach valid information about other suspects involved,” the ministry said. The ministry warned citizens and residents against dealing with the suspects, adding that authorities would question anyone who dealt with them. “The release of the new list offers a chance for anyone who had cooperated or dealt with these suspects in the past to approach security officers to explain their actions, a measure that would relieve them from later being questioned and from charges that could be leveled against them for taking part in terrorist acts,” it said.

The ministry has offered SR1 million to anyone who gives any information that leads to the capture of a wanted terror suspect on the list. SR5 million will be given to anyone who gives any information that leads to the capture of more than one suspect. SR7 million will be given to anyone who gives information that foils a plot to carry out a terrorist act.
See the full list here.
Posted by: Seafarious 2005-06-29
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=122736