SAN`A, Yemen – Authorities have detained a Saudi allegedly linked to a terrorist group that is suspected of carrying out deadly homicide bombings in Saudi Arabia, a Yemeni security official said Tuesday.
Bandr Abdel Hakim al-Ghamdi (search) was among 19 people believe involved in the May 12 Riyadh (search), Saudi Arabia blasts, which killed 35 people, including nine attackers. Officials say the group has ties to Al Qaeda (search).
Yemeni authorities, after months of posting al-Ghamdi's photographs in Yemen streets, discovered his location and arrested him, the security official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. He did not elaborate on the date or circumstances of the arrest.
Al-Ghamdi may be deported to Saudi Arabia. Hamad bin Merdas al-Qahtani, the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, met with Yemeni Interior Minister Rashad al-Eleimi on Monday to "discuss handing over Saudi elements to Saudi Arabia," according to a statement issued after the meeting.
The 19 include 17 Saudis, a Yemeni and an Iraqi with Kuwaiti and Canadian citizenship. Adding al-Ghamdi, at least 11 of the suspects on the list have been killed or captured.
In July, Yemen and Saudi Arabia exchanged 15 suspects, among them detainees accused of involvement in Al Qaeda network.
Anti-terror raids in Yemen and neighboring Saudi Arabia followed repeated calls by the United States to do more to curb Islamic militancy following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
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