“God willing, they all will be transferred to the judiciary to give its verdict on them in accordance with what God has ordained to prevent sedition. … We don’t punish anybody except on the basis of a court verdict,” the prince said.
Addressing princes, ministers, Islamic scholars and commanders of security forces who came to greet him at his office on the occasion of Eid Al-Fitr, Prince Naif said investigations of the arrested suspects were progressing to collect more information.
“By the Grace of God, we have uncovered several plots to undermine the Kingdom’s security. When time comes we’ll provide more information to citizens about such plots,” the Saudi Press Agency quoted Naif as saying.
Last June, the Interior Ministry announced the arrests of 701 suspected militants for plotting to carry out terrorist attacks. Some of the detainees, according to Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, the ministry’s spokesman, were planning to stage terrorist attacks on oil fields and other vital installations.
“You know that Islam is targeted and your country with all its honor and pride is an Islamic country with Qur’an and Sunnah being its constitution… and we depend on ourselves after God the Almighty,” Prince Naif told the well-wishers Wednesday night.
Prince Naif emphasized that security agents would not put extra pressure on suspects to win confessions. “We are capable of implementing court verdicts (on the militants)”, he added.
He praised the security forces for their efforts to foil many terrorist attacks inside the Kingdom. “By the Grace of God, we don’t need anybody except God… During the past years we have not resorted to the help of others, except God and our security officers,” he said referring to Saudi Arabia’s successful anti-terror campaigns that won the country international applause.
Prince Naif urged all Saudis including Islamic scholars, intellectuals and media persons to play their respective roles in protecting the country’s security and stability. “Everybody should understand that we are not only dealing with individuals but also deviant thoughts.”
Islamic scholars have a duty to explain the tolerant and peaceful teachings of Islam. He also urged parents to keep a watch on their children. “The state is capable of protecting their children from evil and guiding them to the right path,” he added.
