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Yemeni Islamist denies link to Osama
Cairo, Mar 11: An influential Yemeni Islamist has said he was surprised to hear that the United States had named him as a suspected terrorist. He denied any links to terrorism.
Cairo, Mar 11: An influential Yemeni Islamist has said he was surprised to hear that the United States had named him as a suspected terrorist. He denied any links to terrorism.
Sheik Abdulmajid al-Zindani, a prominent politician and the spiritual leader of the powerful Islamic-oriented Islah Party, was named last month by the United States as a terror suspect. Washington accused him of a "long history of working with Osama bin Laden," the leader of the Al-Qaida terror group.
"It is not a surprise for me only, but for the Yemeni people and for lot of others who know me," Al-Zindani said in an interview with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite television channel.
Al-Zindani said the United States had to produce the evidence for its accusation. He said he was not afraid of being questioned by Yemeni authorities about the charge.
"Our government has a constitution and judiciary and, according to these, I don't fear anything," he said. Al-Zindani refused to acknowledge that the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington were acts of terrorism.
The interviewer repeatedly asked him if Sept 11 was an act of terrorism, but al-Zindani replied he wanted proof of who was behind it. He did not say that the killing of innocent people amounted to terrorism.
"Killing of people, and aggression against the innocent, is not allowed, but you tell me that someone did that. No, we want proof, and there are people in the West who are still doubtful of the Sept 11 events," he said. Bureau Report
"It is not a surprise for me only, but for the Yemeni people and for lot of others who know me," Al-Zindani said in an interview with the Dubai-based Al-Arabiya satellite television channel.
Al-Zindani said the United States had to produce the evidence for its accusation. He said he was not afraid of being questioned by Yemeni authorities about the charge.
"Our government has a constitution and judiciary and, according to these, I don't fear anything," he said. Al-Zindani refused to acknowledge that the September 11, 2001, attacks on New York and Washington were acts of terrorism.
The interviewer repeatedly asked him if Sept 11 was an act of terrorism, but al-Zindani replied he wanted proof of who was behind it. He did not say that the killing of innocent people amounted to terrorism.
"Killing of people, and aggression against the innocent, is not allowed, but you tell me that someone did that. No, we want proof, and there are people in the West who are still doubtful of the Sept 11 events," he said. Bureau Report