Saudi Arabia arrests 62 suspected militants
5/6/2014RIYADH, Saudi Arabia— Saudi security authorities have arrested 62 militants with alleged links to terrorists in Yemen and Syria who are suspected of planning attacks on government installations and foreign interests as well assassinate security officials, the state news agency reported today.
The official Saudi Press Agency quoted Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki saying that a Palestinian, a Yemeni and a Pakistani are among the group. The other 59 are Saudis.
Al-Turki said 35 of the detained Saudis have already been released from detention and await trial on security-related charges.
He said the security authorities have been monitoring the group for months through the Internet. During their investigation and subsequent arrests, they discovered a workshop for making advanced electronic circuits used in the detonation of bombs, communication surveillance tools and equipment for forging official documents, he said.
He said those arrested had coordinated with members of al-Qaeda in Yemen and Syria, and had started drawing plans for smuggling weapons and preparing attacks — including against Saudi clerics and senior government officials.