Convicted of throwing grenades in March US Embassy attacker: 10 years in jail [Archives:2002/21/Front Page]

The man who threw grenades at the US Embassy in March has been convicted by a Sanaa court to 10 years in jail.
Sameer Yahia Awadh, 26, exploded the grenades on March 15. While reading the verdict, judge Mohsen Alwan said it was made clear that the defendant threw two grenades at the Embassy endangering lives of people and making harm to Yemens diplomatic relationships with other countries.
The act was described by the judge as a heinous crime that affects the security of the country.
During the hearings, Awadh denied all the charges and said he was arrested while passing the embassy compound, carrying a grenade for self-defence.
In the prosecution of investigative report, Awadh said he acted that way to protest against the Israeli atrocities being supported by the Americans. However, before court he denied all his confessions and said he was threatened to say so.
Relatives and neighbors of Awadh described the verdict as unjust. They said the convict suffered from psychological disturbances and the court should have explained that in favor of the convict.
The convict didnt comment.
Other observers also believe the verdict was too heavy and has political dimensions.
The lawyer of the defendant appealed the verdict but no date has been fixed by the court to listen to the appeal hearings.


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