CASA GRANDE, Ariz., Sept. 20 (UPI) -- A controversial author who has linked the Saudi royal family to terrorism has come under the scrutiny of Arizona homicide detectives.
The Arizona Republic said Monday that Emad ElSirgany, author of "The Defilers: Sowing the Seeds of Terrorism," gave up fingerprints and DNA samples to Pinal County sheriff's deputies investigating the shooting death of Dr. Alfonso Puyana.
ElSirgany told the Republic he never heard of the late physician and may have been targeted for his political leanings. ElSirgany's book contends the Saudi royals actively fund terrorism because they are seeking revenge for an alleged CIA role in the 1975 assassination of King Faisal.
The Republic said ElSirgany claims to be a former Egyptian intelligence officer who now works as a truck driver in Arizona.
Sheriff's officials would not comment on how ElSirgany came into their investigation. Puyana's body was found last spring in the Casa Grande Mountains.
