JEDDAH — A criminal court trying 71 terror suspects belonging to the "Al-Nakheel Cell" has released six of the defendants on bail. The judge issued the order after listening to charges read out by the public prosecutor against eight defendants. He directed the released suspects to appear before the court for trial proceedings in due course. The court started examining charges against the cell members three weeks ago. So far, 36 of the defendants were produced in court and were charged with various crimes, including actively taking part in terrorist operations, transporting fugitives and sheltering suspects who escaped from prisons. The court had earlier released eight suspects on bail. When the court proceedings began on Tuesday, the public prosecutor read out charges against eight defendants. The charges included involvement with the Al-Qaeda network and other terrorist outfits, paying bribe to a border guard soldier, forging IDs and driving licenses for wanted terrorists, and extending support to kill security men. The public prosecutor disclosed that there was a hideout for terrorists in a mountainous region in Asir. He appealed the judge to give maximum punishment to the defendants.
