Sana’a terror cell leader sentenced to death [Archives:2006/1001/Front Page]

By: Yasser Al-Mayasi
SANA'A, Nov. 22 ) The State Security Specialized Penal Court sentenced Ibrahim Issa Sharafaddin, a top terrorist and leader of a Sana'a terrorist cell, to death Wednesday.

Sharafaddin was charged with plotting the April and May 2005 blasts in the capital of Sana'a. Under the verdict, issued by Judge Najib Al-Qadiri, the top terror suspect received a death sentence, while others faced prison terms ranging from three to 10 years. Three suspects were cleared of charges attributed to them.

The court seized all arms, including machine guns, pistols and hand grenades, dynamite and other explosives, as well as mobile phones the terrorist cell possessed.

The court fined suspect Abdullah Al-Hakem YR 100,000 to be paid as injury compensation to victim Saleh Muthana Al-Wajih, who was injured in the blasts. It also fined convicts Zain Al-Abedin Al-Murtadha, Amin Al-Muhaqiri and Aqil Al-Shami YR 50,000 each to compensate victim Ali Hussein Al-Qadiri, also injured in the blasts.

Other convicts were obliged to compensate for others injured in the blasts. The court decided that the blood money of slain Lt. Col. Ahmad Ismail Al-Mo'ayyad, killed in last year's Sana'a blasts, be given to his heirs.

The blast suspects numbered 37, including a woman named Intisar Al-Sayyani. Terrorist cell members were arrested in a Sana'a apartment with large quantities of hand grenades, explosives and other arms.

Prosecution accused cell members of forming an armed band, plotting to attack and kill senior government officials and bomb military and security installations. It said the suspects planned to lob hand grenades at vehicles belonging to Ministry of Defense officials.

Additionally, cell members faced charges of plotting to assassinate the U.S. ambassador and bomb the U.S. Embassy in Sana'a, as well as break into the Yemeni TV premises and several military camps.
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