JEDDAH: The Special Criminal Court has sentenced a Saudi man to eight years in prison for showing disrespect to the ruler, and working in ways detrimental to public order.
The man was also charged with posting a series of tweets containing incitement to demonstrations, calling for the overthrow of the system and attempting to commit suicide in prison.
The discretionary ruling gave him eight years in prison effective from the date of his arrest. He was also banned from traveling abroad for five years following the completion of his prison term.
In a related development, the court condemned another Saudi man to nine years in prison for joining unruly gatherings in Qatif more than nine times and chanting anti-state slogans.
The man was also accused of joining another man in steal money from a foodstuff store in Qatif, and working in ways prejudicial to maintenance of peace.
The ruling also ordered the closure of his account on Facebook and banned him from traveling abroad for nine years after the completion of his prison term.
Two Saudis jailed for anti-state activities
