An official source at the Saudi Ministry of Interior stated that al Qaeda activist Khalid bin Odeh bin Mohammed Al-Harbi known as Abu Sulaiman Al-Makki, wanted by security authorities, has surrendered in response to the pardon granted by the king.
Al-Harbi have lost his legs in fighting in Afghanistan. He was stripped of his Saudi citizenship in 1994 for attempts to organize opposition to the monarchy.
The source pointed out that the man, who was on the Iranian-Afghan border contacted the Saudi embassy in Iran, expressing his desire for making use of the royal pardon, SPA reported.
Since Al-Harbi had no identity documents, the Saudi embassy prepared the required documents for him and his family. They were air-transported to the Kingdom in coordination with the Iranian authorities, the source added.
"Thank God, thank God...I called the embassy and we were very well-received," al-Harbi told Saudi TV in the airport terminal. "I have come obeying God, and obeying the (kingdom's) rulers."
In a videotape released after the Sept. 11 attacks, al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden was shown talking about the planning of the attacks with al-Harbi. In the past, al-Harbi was quotde as saying he was smuggled into Afghanistan by a member of the Saudi religious police. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
