By Ibrahim Alawi

Okaz/Saudi Gazette

JEDDAH — The Criminal Court in Jeddah on Tuesday convicted 38 people — all members of a terror cell 41 — for financing terrorism and declaring other Muslims as non-believers.

The ruling included deportation of non-Saudi members of the cell after serving their jail sentences.

They were all accused of following a Takfeeri (infidel) ideology which is against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah.

The cell members were found guilty of describing as infidels the Kingdom's rulers, security men and scholars.

Defendant No. 1 was accused of setting up a clandestine terrorist organization in the prison and that he was given the oath of allegiance by other members of the cell.

The court said that he had recruited a number of detainees to join his organization which was aimed at disturbing the Kingdom's internal security.

Defendant No.1 was sentenced to 25 years in prison, the second 20 years and the third 15 years.

The jail sentences against the cell members ranged between 12 years and six months to two years and six months.

The court said the non-Saudis will be deported to their respective homes after completing their jail sentences.

The convictions can be appealed.