 The three Australian passport-holders arrested in Yemen are all male and from NSW, the Department of Foreign Affairs says. The Australians are among eight foreigners arrested in Yemen, allegedly on terrorism-related charges.
| There have also been reports they converted to Islam earlier this year and received religious instruction in Yemen. |
A foreign affairs spokesman said three males from NSW were behind bars in Yemen and had been held there since at least Tuesday. He said the department had been pushing for access to the Australians since then but had been held up by the Eid holiday period in the country. The spokesman said he was aware of reports the group had been arrested on arms-related charges but could not confirm them. There have also been reports they converted to Islam earlier this year and received religious instruction in Yemen. Last month, Yemen said it had broken up an al-Qaeda linked cell which was behind foiled attacks on oil and gas installations. |