Terrorist was a comic
Truth about Saudi suicide bomber
A suicide bomber who struck in Saudi Arabia was a TV comedian, it was revealed today.
A local broadcaster announced that Mohammed Shathaf al-Shehri, who struck at the homes Westerners in Riyadh in May 2003, had worked for them as a comic at least twice.
The Al-Majd Channels had hired him as a guest presenter shortly before he, and 14 fellow bombers launched their attack on residential compounds in the city.
A total of 35 people were killed and another 200 injured in the blasts.
Fellow actor Waleed Ba Saleh, who had also worked at the station, said al-Shehri, had been a good comic.
According to reports in the Italian media, he told the Saudi Gazette: ‘He was always a pleasant, happy and funny individual. I don't even think the closest people to him knew about his terrorist and extreme ideology."
He described his shock at discovering al-Shehri was one of the bombers, saying 'I couldn't believe it was true. I was in disbelief for a couple of days because he always seemed happy, smiling and cracking jokes.'
The Saudi-owned Al-Majd channels are said to be popular among Muslims because they do not broadcast music or show uncovered women. However they say they will fire anyone who believes in 'terrorist ideology'.
Published: 21 Jul 2005
