Spaniards' attackers to be tried in absentia

SANA'A, June 20 (Saba)- A trial in absentia for two Yemenis accused
of planning a terrorist attack against a Spanish tourist convoy
that killed eight foreigners along with two Yemeni tourist guides in
the eastern province of Mareb, 170 km east of Sana'a, almost two
years ago is expected to begin in the next few days.

Three Yemeni nationals including Hamza al-Quaiti, who was a
prominent al-Qaeda operative and killed in a security raid against a
Tarim terrorist ring last year, and two other fugitives, Amar Ubadah
al-Waely and Hamza al-Dhayani, face charges of planning the attack.

The Specialized Prosecution on Saturday received the file of the
case and immediately started investigating as a prelude to turn over
the file to court, a judicial source said.

Al-Waely and al-Dhayani are still at large.

Eight Spanish tourists, including six women, and two Yemeni tourist
guides were killed in the 2007 car bomb attack which occurred while
the people were touring the ancient temple of Sheba Queen Belquis in
Mareb.

Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility for the attack.

Eight others were injured in the attack, some seriously.

FR