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Riyadh Prison Fire May Be Arson; Al-Qaida Possibly Among 184 Dead
From Jihad Unspun: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 line is they were all in for criminal and drug charges, no militants in this 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. 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. Too many tvâs running in those cells? Or was it the air conditioners? 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. There are more reports coming out the detainees were al-Qaida, on UPI and other sources. I donât think they are going to believe the Saudis didnât have something to do with snuffing their boys. Posted by: Steve 2003-09-17 |
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