“Tortured” Brits granted “clemency” by Saudi King.
Saudi Arabia has unexpectedly freed five Britons, a Canadian and a Belgian convicted of perpetrating terrorism.
The six were alleged to have conspired in car bomb attacks in 2000 and early 2001 in a gang war for control of an illegal alcohol smuggling ring.
Two of the men had been sentenced to death.
The men had been granted “royal clemency” by King Fahd, according to Saudi Embassy officials.
The liberated men, who appeared on television delivering their confessions, said these were made under duress them. They claim to have been tortured and forced into solitary confinement.
After landing at London’s Heathrow airport, the Brits were ushered to meet foreign office officials prior to their reunion with families.
The five Britons are Sandy Mitchell, James Cottle, James Lee, Les Walker and Peter Brandon.
The men said they were “delighted to be home.”
