Trials start for Yemenis accused of kidnapping foreigners

The trials of three Yemenis started on Wednesday in the Yemeni city of Zanjibar. The three men are accused of kidnapping 16 foreigners during December.

The trial procedures are being carried out amid strong security measures. Zein al-Abidin al-Muhder (28), Ahmad Muhammad Atif (26) and Saad Muhammad Atif (18) are facing accusations of carrying out acts of killing and kidnapping foreigners, forming extremist Islamic groups and making contacts with foreign countries with the objective of destabilizing the country. If the men are found guilty they will face the death penalty.

Earlier the Yemeni authorities arrested the three men following a rescue operation for kidnapped foreigners on December 29 in which three British and one Australian hostage were killed.

In August, 1998, Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh ratified a law which imposed capital punishment against persons who carry out kidnappings.