DATE=8/9/1999
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=YEMEN VERDICT (S/L VERSION)
NUMBER=2-252607
BYLINE=RICHARD ENGEL
DATELINE=CAIRO
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: A court in Yemen has found 10 foreign
nationals guilty of plotting to commit acts of
terrorism. Richard Engel reports from our Middle-East
bureau that the controversial trial has been at the
center of a dispute between Yemen and Britain.
Text: The court sentenced the 10-defendants -- eight
Britons and two Algerians -- to prison terms ranging
from eight-months to seven-years. One defendant was
ordered released after having served eight-months in
detention since the trial began.
The court, located in the Yemeni city of Aden, found
the men guilty of forming what it called -- an armed
gang -- possessing weapons and explosives, and
plotting to commits acts of terror in Yemen.
The judge said the men, who are of Arab and Pakistani
origin, formed ties with local Yemeni Islamic militant
groups and worked to destabilize the government.
Defense lawyers have called the trial unfair and say
they will appeal the verdict.
/// OPT FOR LONG ///
The courtroom was reportedly packed with foreign
journalists, diplomats, and the defendants' family
members as the sentences were read out. About 200-
police cordoned off the area around the courthouse.
The trial has been at the center of a dispute between
Yemen and Britain that began when four of 16 Western
hostages were killed during a rescue attempt in
December. British newspapers accused Yemen of
botching the mission.
Yemen reacted angrily and some British analysts say
Yemeni officials arrested the men sentenced Monday in
retaliation for the media campaign against them.
The trial has also angered many Muslims in Britain who
believe the government failed to stop what they see as
an unfair trial.
But Yemeni officials say they are convinced the 10-men
were sent to Yemen by an Islamic fundamentalist based
in Britain, Abu Hamza Al Masri. Yemen has long sought
Mr. Hamza's extradition on charges of terrorism.
Yemeni prosecutors also point out two of the men
sentenced are related to Mr. Hamza. (Signed)
NEB/RHE/PCF/RAE
09-Aug-1999 08:35 AM EDT (09-Aug-1999 1235 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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