RIYADH, Saudi Arabia -- Saudi King Fahd has ordered the release of all 31 Islamic militants who surrendered to security authorities under a June amnesty, the Interior Ministry said Thursday. The amnesty, which spared the lives of those who turned themselves in, was open to anyone who was wanted but had not been arrested for carrying out terrorist acts. "The concerned authorities were assured that the deviants have already rectified their ideology and attitudes toward their nation and society," said the ministry's statement, carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. | "Do you promise not to do it again?" "Yes." OK, you're free to go." |
Relatives of victims or the individuals who suffered at the hands of the terrorists had a right to demand punishment, but the statement said "nobody has claimed anything against them." | They'd rather stay breathing. |
During the month of the pardon, four wanted men surrendered in Saudi Arabia, including Khaled bin Ouda bin Mohammed al-Harby, a confidant of al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden.
| Guess he worked out that deal with the Saudi government. |
None of them was considered a hardcore militant. Twenty-seven others who had left the country turned themselves in and were repatriated. Scores of Saudis and foreigners have been killed or wounded in waves of attacks that began in May 2003. |