| Iranâs government said Monday that the Islamic republic may take up to three years to put on trial captured members of the Al Qaeda network held in its jails. Cabinet spokesman Abdollah Ramazanzadeh reiterated Iranâs position that Tehran would only extradite fugitives deemed not to have acted against the state, and from countries with whom Iran has an extradition agreement. âIf not, they will go on trial in Iran. However, it is a long process that could take two to three years,â he said. In 2003, Iran confirmed it was holding senior members from Osama bin Ladenâs Al Qaeda network, but has refused to identify them. The identity of those still being held has been the subject of intense speculation. Diplomatic sources and Arab press reports have pointed to the possible presence in Iran of the movementâs spokesman, Sulaiman Abu Gaith, and its number three, Saif al-Adel, as well as bin Ladenâs son and Al Qaeda heir, Saad. Washington, however, has accused Iranâs clerical regime of harbouring and not arresting members of the network. |