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Saudi Arabia sentences 15 Iranian spies to death
The convicted are among the 30 Saudi Shi`ite Muslims who were arrested on charges of spying for Iran.
Dubai: A court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced to death 15 people for allegedly spying for Iran.
The convicted are among the 30 Saudi Shi`ite Muslims who were arrested on charges of spying for Iran. One Iranian and one Afghan national were also held on similar charges.
The sentencing came after 160 hearings during a 10-month long trail. Importantly, there is no word yet on the fate of the 17 others who faced trial along with the 15 convicted today.
As per state-run Arabiya TV, 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,” Arabiya TV said in a report.
The alleged spies are also accused of meeting Iran’s Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
“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,” Arabiya TV said.