Bin Laden's widows, kids deported to Saudi Arabia
Source: Agencies |
April 28, 2012, Saturday
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Print Edition
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PAKISTANI authorities deported Osama bin Laden's three widows and his children to Saudi Arabia early yesterday, less than a week before the first anniversary of the American raid that killed the al-Qaida leader in his hideout in a military town.
Once outside Pakistan, the wives may be willing to share information about how bin Laden evaded capture in the country for nearly a decade after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.
The US commandos took bin Laden's body, which they later buried at sea, but left his family behind.
His wives and children were detained by Pakistani authorities immediately after the pre-dawn raid on May 2, 2011.
Two of the widows are from Saudi Arabia, and the third is from Yemen. The Saudis have agreed to allow the Yemeni widow and her five children to live in the kingdom, a relative said.
They were interrogated by Pakistani intelligence agents and eventually charged last month with illegally entering and living in the country.
The three wives and two adult daughters were convicted and sentenced to 45 days in prison. Their prison term, which was spent at a well-guarded house in Islamabad, ended earlier this month.
Soon after midnight Thursday, a van took the women and children from the house in the center of the capital, Islamabad, to the airport. Officials covered the vehicle with sheets to prevent photographers from taking pictures.
The Pakistani government has denied knowing the terrorist leader's whereabouts. US officials say they have no evidence senior Pakistani officials knew bin Laden was in Abbottabad, but questions remain.
A Pakistani government commission formed to investigate how bin Laden lived in the country and the circumstances of the US raid has yet to publish its report.
Once outside Pakistan, the wives may be willing to share information about how bin Laden evaded capture in the country for nearly a decade after the September 11, 2001 terror attacks in the United States.
The US commandos took bin Laden's body, which they later buried at sea, but left his family behind.
His wives and children were detained by Pakistani authorities immediately after the pre-dawn raid on May 2, 2011.
Two of the widows are from Saudi Arabia, and the third is from Yemen. The Saudis have agreed to allow the Yemeni widow and her five children to live in the kingdom, a relative said.
They were interrogated by Pakistani intelligence agents and eventually charged last month with illegally entering and living in the country.
The three wives and two adult daughters were convicted and sentenced to 45 days in prison. Their prison term, which was spent at a well-guarded house in Islamabad, ended earlier this month.
Soon after midnight Thursday, a van took the women and children from the house in the center of the capital, Islamabad, to the airport. Officials covered the vehicle with sheets to prevent photographers from taking pictures.
The Pakistani government has denied knowing the terrorist leader's whereabouts. US officials say they have no evidence senior Pakistani officials knew bin Laden was in Abbottabad, but questions remain.
A Pakistani government commission formed to investigate how bin Laden lived in the country and the circumstances of the US raid has yet to publish its report.
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