Saudi Arabia: 15 in Iran spy cell sentenced to death

The criminal court in Saudi Arabia sentenced to death 15 convicted of spying for Iranian intelligence. Al Arabiya correspondent reported two others were acquitted. The sentencing came after a 10-month trail 160 hearings.


In June, Saudi Arabia announced that it has arrested 32 spies with links to Iran.

The spies were 30 Saudis, an Iranian, an Afghan with links to the Iranian intelligence services were on trial and the public prosecutor has presented his evidence against each of the suspects.

The charges include the formation of a spy cell, which liaised and collaborated with elements of the Iranian intelligence to provide secret and sensitive information related to the military and that affects the national security, the territorial unity and integrity of Saudi Arabia and its armed forces.

The suspects are also accused of meeting Iran’s Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and coordinating with agents from the Iranian intelligence.

Other charges include attempts to carry out acts of sabotage against economic interests and vital installations in Saudi Arabia, to undermine social peace and public order, to spread chaos, to incite sectarian strife, and to carry out hostile acts against the kingdom.

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 espionage for the Iranian intelligence service.

According to the charges, most suspects had travelled to Iran and Lebanon where they were trained on espionage techniques including drafting coded messages.

Some of the suspects had hacked into computers to obtain sensitive information related to the internal and external security and the national economy of Saudi Arabia.

Others charges included supporting violence in Saudi Arabia, possessing weapons, forging documents and accepting bribes.
 [alarabiya.net]
6/12/16