By Mansoor Al-Shehri

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

RIYADH – The Supreme Court upheld the death sentence issued by the Specialist Criminal Court and supported by the Specialist Penal Appeals Court against 14 Saudis including a security man considered a traitor and two wanted militants on the “list of 23” in what is known as the Al-Awamiya cell.

The accused are facing the death penalty due to their involvement in terrorist crimes in Al-Qatif, Saihat, Al-Awamiya and Al-Jash in the Eastern Province. They carried out over 50 armed terrorist attacks on Al-Awamiya and Al-Qatif police stations and Al-Qatif Prison. They also targeted several checkpoints and 20 security patrols. These resulted in the martyrdom of several security men and injury to scores.

In another development, Okaz has learned that the Specialist Penal Appeals Court has upheld the verdicts issued by the Specialist Criminal Court against the members of a spy ring accused of espionage for Iranian Intelligence. The verdicts include the death sentence for 15 Saudis and various jail terms ranging from six months to 25 years against 14 Saudis and Iranians. Meanwhile, a Saudi and an Afghani were acquitted.

All the sessions of the Specialist Criminal Court in Riyadh on national security-related cases are open to the local media and representatives of diplomatic and rights bodies.