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