The attacks targeted three residential complexes in the capital city that houses expatriates. The charges against the defendants included plotting to kill important members of royalty and security officers, conspiring with foreign parties to undermine the Kingdom’s national security, associating with Al-Qaeda and importing and possessing explosive materials, military weapons, such as RPGs and hand grenades, and enough of the deadly poison potassium cyanide to murder hundreds of people.

They are also charged with destroying government and private buildings and killing members of the public and security officers. Charges also include staging armed resistance against the state security apparatus. The bombing of the three compounds resulted in killing and injuring 239 people including women and children.

Six defendants are also accused of plotting to attack King Khaled Airbase in Khamis Mushayt, Asir Province. Eight others are accused of involvement in planning to attack Prince Sultan Airbase in Al-Kharj, Riyadh Province. They also plotted to attack Saudi Aramco and residential compounds in the Eastern Province.

The three-member bench began hearings at 10 a.m. Sunday. The chief judge heard the prosecution's charges against the first of 85 men. The judge assured the courtroom that the defendants would get their legal rights and would be given the opportunity to respond to the charges against them as groups as well as individually.

The judge then read out the charges against the men, which also included offering material and other support to members of terror cells and spreading takfiri ideology: The act of branding fellow Muslims as infidels and enemies of Islam. The suspects are also accused of administering wills of terrorists who died for their causes.

The prosecution said the charges against the defendants have been made on the basis of their confessions. The judge told the defendants that they have the right to attorneys, either personally retained or provided by the state.

All the defendants demanded a copy of their confessions. One of the men — so-called Defendant No. 8 — said that his memory has faded over time. Another defendant questioned why the prosecution was seeking the death penalty against him even when he turned himself in.

Defendant No. 6 pointed out that the attacks took place at a time when many leading Islamic scholars in the Kingdom were inciting youths to take part in jihad. Defendant No. 6 is, among other charges, accused of sending militants for military training to Afghanistan and for issuing fatwas against the royal family.

The militants had reportedly formed a cell named after Turki Al-Dandani, who was killed in a gunbattle with security forces in Jouf. According to a report presented by the prosecutor, Al-Dandani had wanted to carry out major terrorist operations inside the Kingdom quickly and leave the country. But Abdul Aziz Al-Muqrin, another leader, wanted to bide time to ensure the militants get fully prepared and trained before launching attacks. Terror cells have been discovered in Riyadh, Qassim, Kharj, Asir, Ahsa, Jouf and Dariya.

The prosecution pointed out that at least 145 people have been killed and 647 injured in 140 terrorist operations that have occurred in the Kingdom since May 2003.

Some of the defendants had given their oath of allegiance to Osama Bin Laden at Al-Farook Camp in Afghanistan before carrying out their attacks in the Kingdom.

The prosecutor focused on Al-Qaeda's criminal activities aimed at causing chaos and confusion in the Kingdom and terrorizing innocent people. All defendants requested the chief judge allow them to contact their relatives to appoint lawyers.