Daesh man, 7 others arrested for killing soldier

RIYADH – A supporter of Daesh (the so-called Islamic State) and seven of his accomplices who were involved in the killing of a soldier in Tabuk have been arrested, the Interior Ministry announced on Saturday. Maj. Gen. Mansour Al-Turki, the ministry's security spokesman, said Hail Bin Zaal Al-Atawi confessed to the killing of Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Rashidi following an order from the Daesh leadership, the Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Rashiodi was shot dead on Nov. 20 when he was driving his private vehicle on the ring road in Tabuk city. [caption id="attachment_101753" align="alignright"] Hail Al-Atawi [/caption]Al-Atawi was arrested on Nov. 23 following a massive manhunt. Laboratory tests proved a machine gun seized from the suspect was used in the soldier's murder. Seven other people were also apprehended in connection with the murder. Al-Turki said Al-Atawi, during interrogation, admitted his association with the Daesh and that he committed the crime in line with a directive from the Daesh leadership to target military personnel. The security officials are questioning Al-Atawi and his accomplices to get more details about the terrorist gang and their activities. Earlier reports said a suspect in the murder of Al-Rashidi gave himself in to the police last Sunday, two days after the killing. Al-Rashidi was found dead in his car after he left for work at the Ministry of Defense. He was shot at least 14 times.