Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05ALGIERS1304
2005-06-29 12:10:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
AMARI SAIFI AKA ABDERREZAK AL-PARA SENTENCED IN
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001304
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER AG
SUBJECT: AMARI SAIFI AKA ABDERREZAK AL-PARA SENTENCED IN
ABSTENTIA TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
UNCLAS ALGIERS 001304
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER AG
SUBJECT: AMARI SAIFI AKA ABDERREZAK AL-PARA SENTENCED IN
ABSTENTIA TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
1. (U) According to Algerian press reports June 25, 2005, the
Algerian militant and former number two of the al-Qaida
linked Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC),Amari
Saifi aka Abderrazak Al-Para, was sentenced in abstentia to
life in prison for organizing a terrorist group and for
spreading terror among the population. On trial also were
five of his accomplices, though only two of the five were
present at the one-day trial; both were sentenced to two
years in prison. Three others were acquitted.
2. (U) Al-Para is considered the mastermind behind the summer
2003 kidnappings of 32 European tourists, mostly German, one
of whom died of heatstroke in the Sahara Desert. He is also
responsible for the killings of 43 Algerian soldiers in
January that same year and a 2002 attack which killed 10
people. Al-Para will also stand trial for these individual
criminal acts, according to press accounts.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) In response to a lawyer's query regarding al-Para's
absence, the presiding judge remarked, "For (purposes of)
Algerian justice, Amari Saifi is not under detention." No
further explanation was provided, however, leading to the
possibility that the police never turned al-Para over to
judicial authorities after his maximum 12 days of detention.
Al-Para's in absentia sentencing may also be a result of
perceived security threats should he to physically attend the
trial. ERDMAN
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER AG
SUBJECT: AMARI SAIFI AKA ABDERREZAK AL-PARA SENTENCED IN
ABSTENTIA TO LIFE IMPRISONMENT
1. (U) According to Algerian press reports June 25, 2005, the
Algerian militant and former number two of the al-Qaida
linked Salafist Group for Preaching and Combat (GSPC),Amari
Saifi aka Abderrazak Al-Para, was sentenced in abstentia to
life in prison for organizing a terrorist group and for
spreading terror among the population. On trial also were
five of his accomplices, though only two of the five were
present at the one-day trial; both were sentenced to two
years in prison. Three others were acquitted.
2. (U) Al-Para is considered the mastermind behind the summer
2003 kidnappings of 32 European tourists, mostly German, one
of whom died of heatstroke in the Sahara Desert. He is also
responsible for the killings of 43 Algerian soldiers in
January that same year and a 2002 attack which killed 10
people. Al-Para will also stand trial for these individual
criminal acts, according to press accounts.
COMMENT
--------------
3. (SBU) In response to a lawyer's query regarding al-Para's
absence, the presiding judge remarked, "For (purposes of)
Algerian justice, Amari Saifi is not under detention." No
further explanation was provided, however, leading to the
possibility that the police never turned al-Para over to
judicial authorities after his maximum 12 days of detention.
Al-Para's in absentia sentencing may also be a result of
perceived security threats should he to physically attend the
trial. ERDMAN