The 85-member Dandani terror cell is accused of bombing three residential compounds in Riyadh on May 13, 2003.

Their lawyer argued in the court that confessions were forcibly extracted from his clients by investigators.

In the attack 239 people were killed. The victims included women and children apart from security officers. The defendants are also accused of plotting to attack military bases and oil and industrial installations.

Defendant Nos. 21 to 25 were present at the hearing on Monday.

When the judge pointed out the confessions were made in the presence of a judge, the defendants said that it was not in court that force was used.

Responding to the defendants’ replies to the charges, the public prosecutor requested the court to continue the trial on the basis of their previous confessions as there was sufficient evidence to prove the suspects’ involvement in the attack.

The judge handed a copy of the five defendants’ statement to the prosecutor.

Representatives of the Saudi Human Rights Commission and reporters were present at the court during the hearing.