Saudi king condemns Boston Marathon bombings

Monarch calls explosions ‘heinous terrorist acts’

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The king of Saudi Arabia on Tuesday condemned the Boston Marathon bombings, saying no religion or morals would condone such an attack.

In a condolence message to President Barack Obama and the American people, King Abdullah said the perpetrators of such “heinous terrorist acts” are “enemies of any humane considerations.” He said the perpetrators represent only themselves.

In a separate statement, the Saudi Embassy said a Saudi woman was among those injured, suffering from minor injuries due to glass fragments.

The Saudi government has been cracking down on Islamic militants since al-Qaeda launched a wave of attacks in the country in 2003, killing dozens. It has sought to distance itself from terrorist acts in the past, including the September 11 attacks, where 15 of the 19 hijackers involved were Saudi citizens.

In Washington, a Saudi embassy official said Saudis have not been informed by the US of any Saudi who is considered a person of interest in the Boston Marathon bombings. The official confirmed that a Saudi woman, who was watching the race with her husband and child, was injured by “flying shrapnel.”

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he wasn’t authorized to speak publicly about the investigation, said the woman is not a person of interest and the official has no information regarding any Saudis who may have been questioned.