JEDDAH: The Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh has sentenced an Algerian expatriate to 18 months in jail for overstaying his Umrah visa.

The court also found evidence that he tried cross the Saudi border to fight in Syria, a local publication reported. He was detained on Aug. 21.

He was sentenced according to Article 4 of the country’s passport regulations. The law states imprisonment of four months, but the judge extended his jail term because of the other charges.

He will deported after serving his time and paid his dues. The defendant said he agreed but the prosecutor rejected the judgment.