3,106 in Custody for Terror Links – Naif

Tuesday, 03 July 2007
Agencies

AUTHORITIES have arrested 9,000 people during anti-terror operations over the past four years, Interior Minister Prince Naif Bin Abdul Aziz said in comments published, Monday.

Except for 3,106, most of these arrested people have been released, Arabic language daily quoted him as saying.

"The security forces have foiled 180 terrorist operations," Prince Naif said.

If only 10 percent of these operations had succeeded, the Kingdom would have faced "catastrophe," he said, adding that the extremists' "huge plan" had been disrupted.
His comments come a day after he announced the formation of special security forces to protect the Kingdom's vast oil infrastructure from attacks.

"Preparations are underway to put in place a force of 35,000 men to assure the protection of the industrial installations," he said.

The first units from the new force would be deployed to protect oil infrastructure.

Security forces thwarted an alleged Al-Qaeda suicide car bomb attack against Abqaiq oil processing facility in February last year. Two members of the security forces and two assailants were killed.

Oil prices leapt in the immediate aftermath of that incident.

The Kingdom has been battling suspected Al-Qaeda militants since they launched a wave of shootings and bombings, many targeting Westerners, in May 2003.

In April this year the interior ministry said 172 terror suspects had been rounded up in one security operation, along with weapons and cash.

Some of the militants were allegedly plotting airborne attacks on oil facilities and army bases.

Earlier this month, Prince Naif announced the establishment of two courts - one in Riyadh and one in Jeddah - to speed up the trials of terrorist suspects.

Saudi Arabia has already created a state security court to try terror-related cases.

The special tribunal comprises five to seven judges, nominated by the justice and interior ministers and appointed by King Abdullah.

Earlier this year, Saudi security forces arrested 10 people accused of staging a massive fund-raising operation to send insurgents to Iraq and other troubled spots in the Middle East.

Security men conducted raids in Jeddah and Madina, arresting nine Saudis and one foreigner and seizing a "huge amount" of cash.

Seven Saudis were arrested at a house in Jeddah and two taken into custody in Madina. The nationality of the foreigner was not released.

The Ministry of Interior issued a statement Jan. 22 warning against collecting donations for groups not registered with the government.