Saudis release Briton jailed over alcohol trade

A British man jailed for his part in the illegal alcohol trade in Saudi Arabia, which the authorities claimed sparked a series of bombings, was suddenly released yesterday.

Gary O'nions, also known as Gary Dixon, said he was "delighted and astonished" to be free. The news of his release has raised hopes for six other Britons rounded up after the bombings in November 2000.

Two of them – Sandy Mitchell and William Sampson – face public beheading. The rest are serving 12 year sentences for the bombings which their families insist were committed by Islamic militants and blamed on foreigners as part of a cover-up.

O'nions is expected to fly to Britain today, after serving only a quarter of his eight-year prison term. He was also spared 800 lashes and a £350,000 fine for making and selling alcohol.

He admitted running a drinking club for westerners but denied any involvement in a turf war among illegal alcohol dealers blamed by the Saudis for the bombings, in which one man died and at least four were injured.

The six Britons still in Saudi custody, who were convicted of direct involvement in the bombings, say they were beaten by investigators and suspended from ceilings before they made televised confessions in early 2001.

The Saudi Government's sudden release of Mr O'nions is believed to have been urged by its new ambassador to Britain, Prince Turki al-Faisal.