In 2009, following his placement on the Saudi most-wanted list, Evan Kohlmann, of the NEFA Foundation, reported that in 2004 Saudi Interior Minister Prince Nayef announced in 2004 that Meshal was to be tried in the Saudi justice system.[6] Kohlmann, quoting cageprisoners.com reported that “he was held in Haer prison, near Riyadh, for a year before being transferred to a regional prison, so that he could be closer to his family.”