Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Special Criminal Court in Riyadh passed a preliminary verdict sentencing two Saudi nationals to death after they were convicted of forming a terror cell, killing security men and inciting disorder.

A third Saudi was given a 23-year prison sentence for involvement in illicit arms sales.

According to a statement, the court convicted the first defendant of forming a cell belonging to a secret armed organization. The cell intended to create insecurity and chaos in the country by assassinating security officers, destroying public property and disturbing public order.

The court convicted the first defendant also of firing at security patrols, checkpoints, the Al-Awamiyah police station and security men during a raid to arrest a wanted person.

The defendants were also condemned for inciting riots, carrying out sabotage in the Qatif province, and raising anti-government slogans.

The court said the second defendant was convicted of his role in the formation of another terrorist cell seeking to rattle Saudi internal security and cause public strife and division.

The statement said the second defendant received training to operate advanced weapons with the intention of attacking security men and patrols. The accused was found guilty of firing multiple times at security patrols and checkpoints and on the general prison in Qatif. He was also convicted of throwing Molotov cocktails at security vehicles.

As for the third defendant, the court found him guilty of selling and buying arms without a license, collaborating with Qatif-based rabble rousers who were involved in disrupting security by running an arms sales business in the Eastern Province.

It was learned that the weapons would later be used by rioters in Qatif governorate. The man was sentenced to 23 years in prison and a travel ban for similar period upon his release from jail.