The ultimatum was given by the judge who presides over the special criminal court in Riyadh that is trying the famous academician, who was also a well-known preacher, and the seven other members of his cell.

The court began the trial on Jan. 16 and held a number of sessions since then. The defendants were accused of forming a terrorist cell, disobeying the ruler, and spreading corruption on earth.

The judge, according to court sources, told the prime suspect that he was given enough time to reply to the accusations against him and told him openly that he would announce his final verdict in the case next session if the defendant failed to make his replies.

During the first session, the academician asked the judge to give him three weeks to sit with his lawyers to prepare his replies.

According to the sources, the accused promised to give his answers to all charges compiled against him by the attorney general in the next court session.

He also asked the judge in the case to enable him to have a look at all the CDs, his personal computer and the other material including his researches, which were confiscated from his office at the time of his arrest.

The academician further asked the judge to release him for personal family considerations.


• The prime suspect arrived at the court in company with his defense team.

• On arrival, the academician greeted all people present in the court including the media representatives, with whom he exchanged cordial talks asking them about their names and newspapers.

• The defendant asked the media men to honestly report whatever was going on inside the court.

• A journalist replied to him that they would publish everything except the side talks.

• A representative of the Human Rights Commission attended the session.

• This was the second session dedicated to the defendants to make their replies.