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Saudi Arabia seeks Interpol help in capturing 'deviants'

  • Story Highlights
  • Saudi Arabia asks Interpol's hand in apprehending dozens of suspects
  • Of 85 men wanted, two are Yemenis while the rest are Saudi nationals
  • "Deviants" suspected of plotting attacks against Saudi Arabia from abroad
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(CNN) -- Saudi Arabia has asked Interpol for its help in apprehending dozens of wanted Saudis who are suspected of plotting attacks against Saudi Arabia from abroad.

A report from Saudi Arabia's state-run news agency on Tuesday listed the names and nationalities of the 85 wanted men, which includes two Yemenis. The rest are Saudi nationals. Saudi Arabia is offering a reward for their capture and for information leading to their whereabouts, according to the Saudi Press Agency report.

The announcement is significant because it is rare for the kingdom to announce that some of its wanted terrorists are on the loose. It is also rare for Saudi Arabia to ask for help.

The country has taken great strides to crack down on al Qaeda within its borders and, as one source said, "That's why these terror suspects are not in Saudi, because it's not safe."

In some cases, terror suspects wanted by Saudi Arabia have fled to the neighboring country of Yemen because they can hide out there more safely than Saudi Arabia, the source explained.

By asking for Interpol's help, Saudi Arabia is sending a clear message that it thinks the men are dangerous. The country is also touting its position that the wanted "deviants" are not in Saudi Arabia because, as one source told the Saudi Press Agency, "those who work for instigating sedition and corruption were deprived of finding a footage in this pure land."

CNN Senior International Correspondent Nic Robertson contributed to this report.

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