The trial of two terror suspects who were accused of playing a leading rule in issuing religious edicts (fatwas) in favor of Al-Qaeda and its terror attacks began at a special court in Riyadh yesterday. The two (Defendants No. 21 and 22) were among seven defendants who belong to a 29-member terror cell whose trial continued for the third day.
At the beginning of the session, the public prosecutor read out the charges against the defendants, and each one of them was presented with a copy of the charges. There were nine major charges against Defendant No. 21, who issued several fatwas in support of promoting terrorist ideology, inciting violence and permitting his followers to carry out attacks on security officials and destroying public properties.
There were six charges against Defendant No. 22 and that included playing leadership role in issuing wrong fatwas for Al-Qaeda. He was also accused of carrying weapons illegally and giving training to terrorists on using weapons. Charges against Defendants No. 23, 26, 27, 28, and 29 were also delivered yesterday. The public prosecutor urged the court to award capital punishment to three defendants and rigorous jail terms for others.
Fatwa-issuing extremists put on trial
