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| Arabia | |
| Al-Qaeda suspects on trial in Yemen | |
| 2005-02-15 | |
| Eleven al Qaeda suspects have gone on trial in Yemen, facing charges of trying to join militants battling U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. The defendants were also charged with setting up an armed group and planning militant attacks in Yemen and abroad. "The defendants took part in setting up an armed gang, forged passports and travel documents to enable them to commit criminal acts in Yemen and abroad, which include fighting U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq," the prosecutor said on Monday. The men admitted to forging documents but denied the other charges. If convicted, they would be jailed but it was unclear how severe the sentences would be.
The defendants were among a group of 14 al Qaeda suspects who were detained for alleged involvement in militant attacks in Yemen. Three of these suspects were released prior to the trial due to lack of evidence. Lawyers said six of the defendants were arrested in neighbouring Saudi Arabia, the birthplace of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and battling militants for over two years. | |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |