It is a practice in Muslim countries to pray for rulers during the Friday sermon.

The special court completed the preliminary hearings of 10 defendants in the trial of 50 men belonging to the terror cell yesterday.

The trial of the cell started with hearings involving the first five defendants on Saturday.

It was Defendant No. 10 who allegedly used to boycott Friday prayers because of his hatred for the rulers. He was also accused of donating SR24,000 to rent and furnish an apartment for terror activities. He allegedly used to express admiration for Defendant No. 48, who was wanted for his terror activities apart from spreading takfir (declaring other Muslims as infidels) ideologies.

The major charges against the 50 suspects included joining an Al-Qaeda terror cell in the Kingdom, plotting to assassinate a prominent leader in the country and some US citizens, and planning to blow up US and British embassies, the Al-Mahya Residential Complex in Riyadh and a public security building in Al-Washm.

The defendants, five of whom appeared in court on Saturday, allegedly possessed weapons and smuggled heavy arms from Iraq into the Kingdom “to serve the terrorist network.”

The specific charges against Defendant No. 6 included bribing a government official with SR6,500 to get an official form without any entries. The form was intended for the use of Al-Qaeda members. He also was accused of making explosives for suicide operations and then delivering the explosives to Defendant No. 1 and two members of another cell.

Apart from other charges, Defendant No. 7 was accused of converting his house into a shelter and treat injured Al-Qaeda activists. He also donated SR83,000 to terrorists fighting in a foreign country.

One of the charges against Defendant No. 8 was plotting to rescue a terror suspect from police custody and distribution of 1,500 CDs to promote terror ideologies. He also allegedly planned to design a website to launch a terror magazine. He also recruited computer experts to extend technical support for Al-Qaeda activities.

Defendant No. 9 was accused of sheltering Abdul Majeed Al-Manee and other wanted terrorists at his house. He also photographed a housing complex in Riyadh to plan terror attacks, the case sheet said. He was also one of those who plotted to blow up the US and British embassies in Riyadh, it was alleged.

The defendants in the case included two Syrians and a Yemeni as well as 47 Saudis.

In April 2011, a judicial source said 5,080 terror suspects either faced trial or had already been tried before the special court.