A Bedouin resident of Tel Sheva has been indicted of planning a suicide bombing attacks, having been in contact with al-Qaeda agents. The indictment was handed down at the end of last week in the Beersheva District Court.

According to the indictment, in 2002, Khaled Abu Raikak, 23, began becoming more religious, a move the state believes brought him in contact with al-Qaeda and the Global Jihad. He was in contact with enemy agents and even obtained bomb-making instructions.

In 2004, he suggested that his colleague blow himself up in the Beersheva Central Bus Station and in 2006, he planned a bomb attack against military vehicles.

He was taken into custody about three weeks ago along with a family member who was released to house arrest following questioning. The prosecutor may indict him [the family member] as well.

The suspect is a son of Chalil Abu Raikak, who holds the municipality’s education portfolio. Chalil stated he does not believe his son is guilty as accused.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)