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Riyadh prison fire may have been arson
Reliable Gulf-based sources have informed Albawaba that a significant number of those who died in Mondayâs Al-Hair prison fire, if not the majority of them, are followers of Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden that have been arrested in the Kingdom in recent months. Saudi government said no al-Qaeda suspects were in this prison. Wonder where they are then if not in their biggest prison. Saudi Interior Ministry officials are not saying whether the fire was a result of an accident or if it had been deliberately set. However, sources told Albawaba that according to initial findings, there is reason to suspect the fire was intentionally ignited. Another source said they had foam mattresses in the cells, that would explain the deaths by smoke inhalation. In the meantime, however, a senior Saudi security source quoted by Al Hayat ruled out "any act of sabotage". "This sort of accident happens anywhere and a short circuit cannot be ruled out, particularly since the fire started in the afternoon at a time when the electricity supply is overloaded," the source said. Maybe, maybe not. Prisoners have set mattresses on fire before in protest of conditions, may have gotten out of control. In London, meanwhile, a Saudi opposition group said that as many as 144 inmates and 40 security men died in Mondayâs blaze, more than double the official toll initially given by Saudi authorities. The Saudis lied? Well, OK. Posted by: Steve 2003-09-16 |
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