By DPA,
Riyadh : Fawaz al-Utaibi, a Saudi Arabian Al Qaeda-linked militant, has turned himself in to authorities in the kingdom under an amnesty arrangement, the Saudi interior ministry said Wednesday.
Al-Arabiya TV news channel said the 35-year-old left for Iran last year.
In February, the Saudi government published a list of 85 men worldwide it said adhered to “deviant” ideologies – common Saudi terminology for Al Qaeda.
“He will be treated in accordance with the procedures applicable in such cases and his initiative and the role of the family will be taken in consideration,” a ministry statement said.
Saudi Arabia has begun an experimental programme of “rehabilitating” former militants, where they renounce violence in exchange for freedom. Since the list was issued, 15 militants have come forward.
Al-Utaibi’s surrender comes days after Saudi Arabia’s deputy interior minister in Jeddah survived an assassination attempt by a man wanted on terrorism charges.
The suicide bomber blew himself up in the minister’s office Thursday after announcing that he was giving himself up and wanted to meet the minister, Prince Mohammed bin Nayef, who is responsible for security in the kingdom.