Prominent preacher Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr was charged with instigating unrest and seeking the help of foreigners to meddle in the affairs of the Kingdom. The court panel delayed the hearing until a lawyer is appointed.

Al-Nimr was arrested in July 2012 for claiming the Saudi Arabian government discriminated against members of the Shiite community in the Kingdom.

He is said to have conspired with a band of activists in the Eastern Province who are allegedly responsible for unrest and protests in recent years. Security forces are looking for these 23 men. They are allegedly inciting people to kill security officers and citizens and encouraging them to encroach on state properties during Friday sermons. They also face various other terrorism charges.

Al-Nimr, 55, is said to have held a meeting with these people whose names are among the most wanted in Saudi Arabia, a local newspaper reported. He allegedly encouraged all members of the group to carry out acts of terrorism to achieve their goals. He was also accused of calling on citizens during the Friday sermon to support and defend these men.

The general prosecutor said that the defendant was responsible for riots and acts of sabotage at Qatif with the cooperation of a number of the most dangerous people. “He was raising sectarian strife among citizens of the country, encouraging them not to be loyal to the Kingdom,” said the prosecutor, adding that he demeaned leaders and scientists of Gulf States including the Peninsula Shield Forces in Bahrain. “He made threats in his speeches, which he recorded and posted on the Internet,” he pointed out.

Al-Nimr was also indicted for supporting the rebellion in Bahrain.