Saudi arrest suspected attackers of tourists

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – Police have arrested a number of suspects for the killing of four French nationals last week, but it was still unclear if the murder was the work of Islamic terrorists, the Saudi Interior Ministry said on Tuesday.

We have enough evidence to believe that those suspects might have been involved in the crime, but we will interrogate them before announcing their names to find out who was involved directly and who wasn’t,’ ministry spokesman Mansour Al Turki said.

He declined to say how many suspects had been detained for the Feb 26. killing in which four French travelers were shot dead by gunmen on the side of a road leading to the holy city of Medina _ an area restricted to Muslims.

Asked if the suspects belonged to Islamic extremist groups, Al Turki said it was too early to say.

He said the police were looking for two other suspects, Abdullah Thair Al Muhammadi and Nasser Al Balawi, and that the government would shortly issue a statement warning that they 24 hours in which to surrender….

Associated Press is running this story, which appears here in Khaleej Times. The killings were an act of terror whether or not they were committed by an organized group.

UPDATE: American blogger in Saudi Arabia, Carol Flemming of American-Bedu, provides this information broadcast on Saudi TV:

Tonight’s evening news had a special report from the Ministry of Interior about the attacks. The report identified the victims throughout as French nationals (vice French and Belgian which had been reported in some press reports). These nationals were enroute towards Medina and became lost. The film footage from the scene of the incident showed an isolated desert area and a sign in both English & Arabic stating “Road Dead Ends.”

Per the report a green Petrol truck pulled up beside the victims and began firing before driving off abruptly.

Three photographs were shown as part of the filmed footage (two photos were of the same individual). The individuals in the photos were requested to turn themselves in to authorities and if they did not by tomorrow morning, they would be viewed as fugitives.

Anyone having information about the incident and whereabouts of the two men were asked to contact authorities immediately. Saudi authorities were willing to provide a reward of up to 7million SAR for information leading to the rendition of the two individuals.

Arab News runs an article identifying the two men arrested, with photos: Suspects Held in Frenchmen’s Murder.

Saudi Gazette headlines a piece, Many Held For Killing of French Nationals. Link to the full article, however, is broken, so I don’t know just what it’s saying. NOTE: Saudi Gazette‘s link is now fixed. The article notes that an unstated number have been arrested and two more are being sought.