The five captured kidnappers -- Yemeni Zein al-Abideen al-Mehdar, known as Abu Hassan, 28, Ahmed Mohammad Ali Atef, 26, Saad Mohammad Ali Atef, 18, Saleh al-Junaidy, and Mohammed Saleh Abu Huraira -- were charged with kidnapping and murder and forming an extremist Islamic group with the aim of harming Yemen's security and safety.

At his trial in January 1999, Abu Hassan admitted before the court that he was the "managing mind" for the kidnapping operation and that he had ordered his men to kill the tourists if the security forces approached their hideout. According to The London Times, Abu Hassan said in court: "I did everything in the name of God so I am sorry for nothing.... I am very famous now, but let everyone know I only gave orders to kill the men, not the women.... My pistol jammed. If I could have shot more I would have done so." When questioned about the kidnappers who had escaped, Abu Hassan said, "I hope those who are at large will continue the Jihad... I hope God strikes you all."

In February 1999, Abu Hassan told the court that his group had planned other anti-western operations including an attack on a church. He said he was waging a holy war and was not sorry for the death of a single Christian.

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