The judge was dealing with the case involving the murder of four French tourists at a desert location 90 km north of Madinah in 2007. The tourists were attacked while returning from the historical site of Madain Saleh.

There are 14 suspects in the case. The first three defendants are accused of being directly involved in the murder while the remaining 11 are accused of setting up a terror cell and providing support to the murderers.

The first three defendants and their relatives were present in the court yesterday. At the beginning of the session the father and brother of Defendant No. 2 said they were defending their relative and demanded the judge produce proof against the suspect. The relatives, apparently, did not know that it is the responsibility of the public prosecutor and not the judge to prove that a defendant is guilty.

However, the judge told the relatives that only a licensed lawyer, not relatives, is eligible to defend a suspect in court.

The judge also told them that according to regulations a defendant has to deny the charges against him before he can demand to see documented evidence.

The major charges against Defendant No. 2 included stealing a car to provide logistical support to Waleed Al-Radadi, the alleged mastermind of the attack. Al-Radadi was one of 36 men wanted for terror crimes in the past. The defendant was also accused of direct involvement in the murder and threatening women members of the tourist group, as well as joining a group who are hostile to the country.

The judge warned the lawyer of Defendant No. 1 for wasting the court’s time and attempting to prolong the prosecution by not submitting a formal reply to the charges against his client.

The judge threatened to disqualify the lawyer. The judge was referring to the lawyer’s insistence that he would not submit the reply unless he was given access to the laboratory and fingerprint reports related to the case.

The court started hearing the case in December.