Three Saudi nationals wanted for their involvement in unrest in the Eastern Province turned themselves in Tuesday and two others were arrested, the Interior Ministry said. Ministry spokesman Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, quoted by Saudi Press Agency (SPA), also urged the remaining wanted people to give themselves up. On Monday, authorities announced the names of 23 men wanted for involvement in trouble during the past few months in the Eastern Province. The group is accused mainly of “possessing illegal firearms and opening fire on the public and police, in addition to using innocent people as shields,” the Interior Ministry said. They allegedly took part in “mobs, blocking traffic (and) damaging public and private property” during sporadic confrontations between police and protesters. The surrendered outlaws are Hussein Ali Abdullah Al-Braki, Shah Ali Issa Al-Shukan and Moussa Jaffar Mohammed Al-Mabiouq, he said. Al-Turki stressed that the initiative of those who surrendered will be taken into account when their cases will come up for consideration. He added that the names of those arrested Tuesday will be announced later. Al-Turki reiterated the ministry's call for all on the wanted list to surrender and take advantage of the opportunity now available to soften their punishment. In March, rioters rampaged through the streets in the Eastern Province burning vehicles and public offices. Four men were shot dead in clashes between security personnel and rioters in November. The Interior Ministry said security forces had come under fire from gunmen operating on “foreign orders.”
