Osama's family seeks refuge outside Iran

Riyadh, Mar 24: While the al-Qaeda chief, Osama Bin Laden is at large, the family of the most wanted leader is pleading for refuge as they wish to leave Iran, where they have been placed under house arrest since 2001.

The two siblings of Osama's son, Omar bin Laden were released by Tehran in the last three months.

Omar and his wife Zaina have now issued a plea, seeking refuge for the rest of the family members in Iran, particularly Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

"The Iranian government has nowhere to send Omar's other siblings," they wrote. "We beg of any country to help us, either from the east or the western world. These are just as much innocent victims as anyone else," they said. "We ask again for the UAE or Qatar to please help them."

In a letter received by a news agency, Omar and his British wife, Zaina have mentioned 23 people - Osama bin Laden's sons, their wives, and children born both in Afghanistan and later in Tehran.

According to Zaina, the entire group along with in-laws consist of more than 30 members.

Omar's brother and sister have already been released.

16-year-old Bakr bin Laden, Osama's youngest son was allowed to fly to Damascus and was reunited with his Syrian mother Najwa al-Ghanem, one of Osama bin Laden's wives.

OneIndia News