Suspect kills himself with explosive belt to avoid arrest in Saudi Arabia
Officials offer no details on suspect’s background, don’t disclose if he belonged to any known extremist group
Policemen provide security for pilgrims in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, July 26, 2020. (Saudi Ministry of Media via AP)
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates — A man wanted by security officials in Saudi Arabia killed himself with an explosive belt to avoid arrest, wounding four others in the blast, the kingdom said Friday.
The state-run Saudi Press Agency, citing the Saudi State Security Presidency, identified the dead man as Abdullah bin Zayed al-Shehri.
The report said as security forces moved in on him Wednesday in the Saudi city of Jeddah, al-Shehri detonated the bomb belt. The report identified the wounded as a Pakistani national and three security officials.
The report offered no details on al-Shehri’s background, nor if he belonged to any known extremist group.
The kingdom has battled al-Qaida and Islamic State terrorists.
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