RIYADH – Saudi Arabia has revoked the citizenship of son of former al-Qaedaleader Osama bin Laden, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statementpublished by state media.
Umm Al-Qura newspaper reported on Friday that the decision regarding Hamzabin Laden’s citizenship was made in November by a royal order, however,practically the news coincided with US offer to award up to $1m to anyoneproviding information about his whereabouts.
Hamza bin Laden has been classed as a “terrorist” by the US since 2017 andthe money is being offered by the US as part of its Rewards for justiceprogram which described Hamza as ‘an emerging al-Qa’ida leader,’ in a tweetdisclosing the prize information.
WANTED. Up to $1 million for information on Hamza bin Laden, an emergingal-Qa’ida leader. Hamza is son of Usama bin Laden and has threatenedattacks against the United States and allies. Relocation possible. Submit atip, get paid. linklinkpic.twitter.com/gmx5hkoSzQ link
— Rewards for Justice (@Rewards4Justice) February 28, 2019link
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Hamza bin Laden, believed to be of 30, had released audio messages vowingto avenge the killing of his father.
“We will continue striking you and targeting you in your country and abroadin response to your oppression of the people of Palestine, Afghanistan,Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and the rest of the Muslim lands that did notsurvive your oppression,” Hamza said in an audio released by wire serviceReuters in 2016.
The US had added Hamza to the terror blacklist in 2017 and now plans totrack him down.
