Saudi sources deny near release of detainees

A source, close to the mediators between the Saudi Arabian authorities and wanted Saudis, denied news on releasing 300 detainees suspected to be involved in what is called terrorism, during the few coming days, and stressed that the news are groundless.

The source, which asked to be anonymous, said that "contacts are still ongoing to convince the wanted to hand over themselves and stop bloodshed." The Saudi lawyer and activist, Sheikh Mohsin al-Awaji, said on Tuesday that some 300 persons out of 900 persons detained in the Saudi jails for alleged ties "with terrorism" are expected to be released in the few coming days, noting that efforts that are being made between the Saudi authorities and the wanted are continuous to "bring together view points, and avoid the occurrence of new attacks."

The Saudi authorities stressed it had arrested hundreds of suspects, in the context of chasing the attackers of the two attacks in Riyadh on May 12 and November 8 that resulted in killing 35 persons.

A four member independent committee of scholars launched an initiative to mediate between the authority and the gunmen, but the Saudi authorities refused dialogue with "extremists" considering that they are seeking to topple the regime.