SANAA, Yemen, May 25 (UPI) -- Yemeni public prosecutor Abdullah Alafi revealed that a court specializing in terror cases will next week begin the trial of 23 suspected al-Qaida members.Alafi was quoted as saying Thursday in the weekly September 26, mouthpiece of the Defense Ministry, that interrogation of the suspects was completed and they will be referred to trial next week on charges of belonging to the terrorist group led by Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden. "These are among detainees with the security agencies whose trial was decided after their cases were studied and reviewed," Alafi said.
Of the suspects, seven are accused of forming an armed gang for carrying out terrorist operations. Alafi pointed out that 315 people suspected of belonging to al-Qaida have been freed for lack of evidence, including 95 recently let go.
| Didn't even have to dig a tunnel to the mosque next door. |
Alafi said that of the 23 escapees, nine have been arrested or have surrendered to the authorities. "As for the remaining fugitives, security agencies are still chasing them," he said.