US embassy cable - 04SANAA2215

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002215 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR NEA/ARP AND OPS CENTER 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/25/2014 
TAGS: PTER, PREL, ASEC, YM, COUNTER TERRORISM 
SUBJECT: GROUP TERRORIST TRIAL VERDICT AND SENTENCING TO BE 
ANNOUNCED 8/28 
 
REF: SANAA 2021 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Thomas C. Krajeski for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d 
). 
 
1. (C) Assistant Prosecutor Ali al-Samet confirmed to Emboff 
that the verdict and sentencing for 15 defendants in the 
Limburg Trial (trial one) will be announced on Saturday 
August 28.  The defendants are all believed to be al-Qa'ida 
associates and are charged with involvement in: 
 
-- the 9/02 explosion in an al-Qa'ida safehouse in the 
al-Qadissiya neighborhood of Sanaa where 13 crates of 
explosives were found; 
-- the 10/02 M/V Limburg bombing; 
-- the 11/02 Hunt Oil Company helicopter attack; 
-- the al-Qa'ida cell rolled up in fall 2003 with plans to 
target the U.S., British, French and Cuban Embassies. 
 
An article in the English Language Yemen Times reports that 
the defendants expressed "surprise" at the fact that the 
annoucement would come next week. 
 
2. (C) Comment: In reftel, post reported that Judge 
al-Jarmouzi was expected to study the case for a month and 
announce his decision in September.  Government pressure to 
preempt security problems and negative press likely 
contributed to moving up the sentencing date.  Post will 
monitor security situation and hold EACs as warranted.  End 
comment. 
KRAJESKI