Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Arabia: 15 in Iran Spy Ring Sentenced to Death | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Media ID: 55363416
Caption:

The entrance to the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.


Saudi Arabia’s criminal court issued capital punishment sentences to 15 suspects convicted of treason and spying for foreign Iranian intelligence. Special prosecution issued verdicts for 32 respondents arrested under allegations of belonging to an Iran spy cell, and whose members have cooperated with a foreign states’ intelligence sharing information compromising national security.

Among the charges is compromising national security through noncertified exchange of military and defense information. Establishing a spy ring consequently threatening national unity and conspiring against the best interest of state stability, economy, and public security were also among the charges.

The spy ring was found guilty of plotting hostile acts against the Saudi kingdom, in addition to undermining social peace.

The suspects also faced accusations of high treason of their country and king, and attempting to recruit people working in state agencies to commit acts of spying for the Iranian intelligence service.

The sentencing came after a 10-month trail including 160 hearings, during which convicts were given the legal right to a lawyer of their choice, to appeal and to defend their case.

According to national laws of prosecution, respondents were given the right to a lawyer— when proving unable to secure defense, a state attorney was afforded to them.

Offenders were given the right to meet with their court representatives freely – in detention- to prepare for their proceedings and defense, and were provided with all requested court documents.

All hearings were held publicly, attendance was open to all.