Yemen: Death sentence to Al-Qaeda bombmaking expert

Published October 18th, 2010 - 10:24 GMT
Saleh al-Shawsh
Saleh al-Shawsh

A Yemeni court on Monday sentenced to death Al-Qaeda bombmaking expert Saleh al-Shawsh. "God willing, your end will come at our hands and the start will be from Abyan," Shawsh chanted from the dock as the judge handed down the death sentence.

According to AFP, Shawsh confessed to involvement in seven cases of bombing attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda on oil and military facilities in Hadramawt and Marib provinces. "The actions attributed to me are correct," he told an October 9 hearing. "I prepared and carried out these operations voluntarily and without duress."

He has lodged no appeal against the verdict.

Shawsh was caught earlier this year as he prepared to launch a suicide bombing in the Hadramawt port city of Mukalla.