Yemen to free al-Qaeda suspects

[dipsydoodle]

Source: BBC News

Yemen has decided to release 176 men suspected of ties to the militant network al-Qaeda on condition of good behaviour, officials say.

The ruling excludes those convicted of terrorism, unless they have completed their sentence.

Yemen has gained a reputation as a haven for Islamist militants in recent years, and there have been a series of attacks against Western targets.

Previous prisoner releases have worried US officials.

Read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7877963.stm

[Turbineguy]

1. Did I miss something?

Is George Bush president of Yemen now?

[EmperorHasNoClothes]

2. Sounds like Cheney's been busy making calls.

[edc]

4. Yea

the shock troops of al-Qaeada still has work to do in the cause of global tyranny.

[stillcool]

3. Not nearly as many as we've released...

I guess they had less to start with.

[ohio2007]

5. *co out of office. = Yemen no longer needs to play the game

I'm sure US interests will not be harmed in any way due to our change at the top;


but ya never know whats next in Yemen

http://www.yemenpost.net/67/LocalNews/20081.htm

[Ian David]

6. Yemen stopped playing the game like 4 years ago. n/t

[Prometheus Bound]

7. I think it's ok because they signed a pledge not to engage in terrorism.

No seriously, I don't know how long these people have been in prison, but if they are still only "suspects" there doesn't seem to be any reason to hold them.

Official: Yemen releases 170 al-Qaida suspects

By AHMED AL-HAJ, Associated Press Writer Ahmed Al-haj, Associated Press Writer – Sun Feb 8, 6:17 pm E

SAN'A, Yemen – Yemen released 170 men it had arrested on suspicion of having ties to al-Qaida, security officials said Sunday, two weeks after the terror group announced that Yemen had become the base of its activities for the whole Arabian peninsula.

The announcement also comes as government forces say they are poised to sweep through the northern city of Marib to combat an entrenched al-Qaida presence that includes both Yemenis and Saudis.

The officials who announced the release spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not allowed to speak to the press.

The men were freed Friday and Saturday after signing pledges not to engage in terrorism — a strategy the Yemeni government has often used with those suspected of fighting in militant causes abroad. Local tribal leaders are also expected to guarantee the good behavior of the released.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090208/ap_on_re_mi_ea/ml_yemen_al_qaida_suspects