GROUP TERRORIST TRIAL VERDICT AND SENTENCING TO BE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002215 SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND OPS CENTER E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014 TAGS: PTER PREL ASEC YM COUNTER TERRORISM SUBJECT: GROUP TERRORIST TRIAL VERDICT AND SENTENCING TO BE ANNOUNCED 8/28 REF: SANAA 2021 Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). ¶1. (C) Assistant Prosecutor Ali al-Samet confirmed to Emboff that the verdict and sentencing for 15 defendants in the Limburg Trial (trial one) will be announced on Saturday August 28. The defendants are all believed to be al-Qa'ida associates and are charged with involvement in: -- the 9/02 explosion in an al-Qa'ida safehouse in the al-Qadissiya neighborhood of Sanaa where 13 crates of explosives were found; -- the 10/02 M/V Limburg bombing; -- the 11/02 Hunt Oil Company helicopter attack; -- the al-Qa'ida cell rolled up in fall 2003 with plans to target the U.S., British, French and Cuban Embassies. An article in the English Language Yemen Times reports that the defendants expressed "surprise" at the fact that the annoucement would come next week. ¶2. (C) Comment: In reftel, post reported that Judge al-Jarmouzi was expected to study the case for a month and announce his decision in September. Government pressure to preempt security problems and negative press likely contributed to moving up the sentencing date. Post will monitor security situation and hold EACs as warranted. End comment. KRAJESKI