Kuwait attack suspect admits being in Daesh

(MENAFN- Arab News) KUWAIT CITY: The main suspect in a deadly attack on a Kuwaiti Shiite mosque in June confessed in court on Tuesday to being in Daesh militant group.

Abdulrahman Sabah Saud told the first hearing of the trial of 22 men and seven women that he joined Daesh just a day before the June 26 suicide bombing that killed 26 people and wounded hundreds. It was the worst ever attack in the oil-rich Gulf emirate.
Although the public prosecution has not released the official charge sheets a number of defendants are charged with being in a proscribed group and taking part in the bombing.
Most are also accused of assisting those behind the attack.
Saud who drove bomber Fahad Al-Qaba'a to the mosque in Kuwait City was arrested two days after the blast in a hideout owned by two other suspects. Tuesday's hearing was held under tight security with everyone checked before being allowed into the courtroom.
Five defendants are still at large and being tried in absentia.
The seven women present were allowed to sit with female police guarding them while the male defendants were placed in a metal cage.
Only Saud admitted being in Daesh. All of the others denied involvement in the bombing or with the group.
Thamer Al-Jadaei the lawyer for Jarrah Nimer owner of the car used in the attack said his client gave the vehicle to Saud to transport charity meals for breaking the fast during the month of Ramadan.
Those charged are seven Kuwaitis five Saudis three Pakistanis 13 stateless people known as bidoons and another person at large whose identity is unknown.
An Daesh-affiliated group calling itself Najd Province claimed the bombing. The next hearing in the case was set for Thursday.