JEDDAH: The special criminal court has sent a Saudi national to 11 years of imprisonment for fomenting sectarian strife and disturbing the peace in Qatif. His name was on the list of 23 wanted men as announced by the Ministry of Interior before he was apprehended.

The court also barred him from traveling abroad for the similar period, and ordered the confiscation of his computer and memory card, which were seized from him.

The man found guilty of leading gatherings and demonstrations, fomenting riots and creating chaos, and also chanting anti-national slogans on loudspeakers. He was also charged with holding meetings with a number of men wanted by security agencies to hold demonstrations and create chaos, destabilize peace and public opinion and incite people. The other charges include producing, storing and electronically spreading material to disturb public systems.

He was also found guilty of storing photos of arms and anti-national videos; threatening and castigating messages against rulers of the Kingdom; attacking security personnel by throwing stones at them, hiding a group of people who opened fire on security personnel and running away and hiding from security agencies after his name appeared on the list of wanted people.

The man was also found guilty of urging people through WhatsApp and Facebook to indulge in rioting and demand the ouster of the ruling party; forming an alliance with groups to promote riots in Qatif, Al Awamiyah, Taroot and other areas, besides hiding financial support which he was getting from people who revolted against the country; setting up funds for groups and his contact with foreign agencies to defame the Kingdom.

Out of the 11-year imprisonment, four years are for cybercrimes and two years’ jail and ban on traveling abroad for financial fraud.