The much-awaited trial of al-Qaeda militants, arrested for taking part in a series of terrorist operations across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, begins today in Riyadh, a Saudi daily reported on Monday "The General Court in Riyadh has set up a 10-member bench to look into the cases of 70 terrorists including Saudis and foreigners," an informed source was quoted by the Saudi Arab News.The militants were involved in terrorist attacks that killed 200 people as well as 70 security officers, the source said, adding that lawyers would be allowed to defend the suspects. The Arab News reported that the militants facing trial included two groups: those directly involved in the attacks and those who helped the accused by providing refuge, transport and funds as stated by an Interior Ministry official.
Saudi Interior Minister Prince Naif announced last week plans to transfer cases of militants to Shariah courts, the newspaper said. "They all will be transferred to the judiciary to give its verdict on them in accordance with what God has ordained to prevent sedition. We don't punish anybody except on the basis of a court verdict," the Arab News quoted the prince.
Last June, the Saudi Interior Ministry announced the arrests of 701 militants for plotting to carry out terrorist attacks. Some of the detainees, according to Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki, the ministry's spokesman, were planning to stage terrorist attacks on oil fields and other vital installations, the Arab News reported.