Illegal society’s founders jailed

A judge yesterday sentenced two Saudis to prison for offenses of stirring protests, unrest and sedition. The two defendants were accused of founding and administering Civil and Political Rights Association (HASM), a banned society.
One defendant was sentenced to 11 years in prison and the second received a 10-year prison sentence. They received credit for time served in custody since 2011.
The association, which was organized in 2009, will be disbanded and its funds and publishing means confiscated, and all its activities will be banned, the judge ruled. 
The judge ruled the association was conducting its business without a license and disturbing the peace.
One defendant was told he must complete the remaining time of a previous jail term and serve an additional five years. 
The two will be prohibited from leaving Saudi Arabia after serving their terms and they must remain in the country for a period of time equal to their jail sentence.
The state prosecutor objected to the sentence and said he will present a rebuttal. The two were given 30 days to appeal. They also objected to the sentence.
The trial was open to the public and the media. It was attended by nine women.
In a lengthy statement, the judge gave the details of the verdict. The salient points were about the association’s efforts to disturb the peace and challenge the political order of Saudi Arabia. They were also accused of spreading false information on social media, and giving false information about the Kingdom to foreign media.