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Riyadh: The Ministry of Interior has denied reports in foreign media that Al Qaida had penetrated the country's security system. The interior ministry also denied reports that the seven suspects who escaped from Al Malaz Prison in Riyadh on Friday received help from their guards. Speaking to Okaz Arabic language daily based in Jeddah, Major General Mansour Al Turki, Saudi Interior Ministry spokesman, dismissed any link between the Saudi security forces and the seven fugitives. "The Saudi security forces have practically demonstrated their loyalty to their religion, country and the King by sacrificing their lives in the defence of their beloved country and courageously fighting the terrorists," he said. Security forces have spread a dragnet to nab the seven inmates who escaped from prison, he said.
Police have increased security checkpoints across the city and beefed up security around the embassies and consulates in the capital city. General Al Turki said the seven fugitives were now on the kingdom's most wanted list. Whoever gives a tip about their whereabouts will be rewarded as per the royal order, he added. The royal order stipulates that those who give a tip leading to the arrest of any of the seven fugitives will receive a financial reward worth one million riyal (Dh1 million). The reward will be increased to 5 million riyals in case more than one fugitive is arrested based on the tip. The royal order also allocates a reward of 7 million riyals for a tip that helps in foiling a terrorist operation. Authorities are questioning officials at Al Malaz prison on the escape of the seven inmates. Meanwhile, observers and experts suggested a possible lapse of security that led to the escape of the prisoners. Reports indicated that the seven prisoners were shifted from Al Haier prison to the new Al Malaz prison two months ago to help the interrogators who stay close to the prison. The fugitives are thought to have links with the Al Qaida and are accused of providing logistic support to those on the kingdom's most wanted list. Osama Al Wehaibi, 22, who is one of the seven fugitives, is believed to have sheltered Moroccan Younis Al Haiari before he was killed by the Saudi security forces in Riyadh last July. Security observers say the escape of the seven fugitives may lead to new armed clashes between the security forces and the fugitives in case they unearth their whereabouts.
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