Not My Sons, Says Al-Hazmi Doubting FBI's Suspect List

The Saudi Gazette
September 23, 2001

MAKKAH/TUNIS--THE father of two young Saudi men suspected of involvement in the hijack of one of the aeroplanes that attacked World Trade Center in New York doubted his sons' involvement in the attack. He said the pictures of the two published by American zsecurity agencies were fake and do not even resemble his sons.

Muhammad Salim Al-Hazmi, father of the two suspects, Nawaf and Salim Muhammad Al-Hazmi, said that the published photos may be doctored or faked somehow. He said his two sons do not speak English and had never traveled to the US before. He insisted that the accusations levelled against his sons and other Saudi youths have no basis in reality. "Nawaf and Salim, as I know them, would not dare to commit such an abominable, inhuman and anti-religious act. They are well-behaved, nice young men who have been brought up in a family atmosphere free from any social or psychological problems," he said.

Al-Hazmi continued, "As a father, I have a feeling that the two of them are still alive and unhurt, and will come back home in the near future when the truth is uncovered and the real culprits are found."

"We sympathize with the American people for the terrible loss of life and property they have suffered, and we are ready to help them against the criminals who planned this despicable action to tarnish the name of Islam," he added.

The Saudi pilot, Saeed Al-Ghamdi, resident in Tunis, has criticized the American Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for publishing his photograph among the list of those suspected of the terrorist attacks targeted the twin towers of the WTC, and the Pentagon.

Al-Ghamdi told reporters Friday that he was on a ten-month course with 21 other Saudi pilots, training to fly civil aircraft, under an agreement between Saudi Arabian Airlines and Tunisian Airlines.

Al-Ghamdi said that he takes part in piloting airbus planes between Tunis and European airports.

However, Tunis airport authorities advised Al-Ghamdi not to join the crew of the flight heading to London on Wednesday for fear of exposing himself to harassment, particularly following the arrest of a Saudi pilot in the Philippines.

Al-Ghamdi stated that he took aviation courses in Florida from 1998 to 1999, before he finally settled in Saudi Arabia. He also emphasized that he has never lost his passport nor has he visited the US since last August, except for a 45-day refresher course.

Al-Ghamdi returned Friday to Saudi Arabia to discuss with his company's management the clearing of his name, after CNN published his picture as one of the suspects.

Meanwhile, 50 Saudi pilots studying in the US were summoned for questioning by the FBI, and were all cleared, Captain Al-Ghanim, assistant to the director general of operations of the Saudi Arabian Airlines, told Al-Nadwa Arabic daily. He stated that the pilots are pursuing different courses, some doing refresher courses, and others studying for the "Aviation Certificate."

Captain Muhammad Omer Bukhari, who was arrested by the Philippine authorities, will resume his flight duties, both domestic and international, in a few days time, probably next week.

--With reports from Abdul Mauti Al-Salami Saudi Gazette/Okaz staff and Al-Nadwa and Al-Hayat

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