JEDDAH: The Specialized Criminal Court in Jeddah issued a preliminary ruling against a Saudi accused of using Friday sermons to support and promote Hezbollah. The court sentenced him to 13 years in prison from the date of his arrest.

He is also charged with criticizing the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and Arab countries for designating Hezbollah a terrorist group.

He described the Kingdom as a source of infidelity, thus violating a pledge not to exploit Friday sermons to incite against the state and interfere in its policies.

He was also found guilty of publishing his speeches on his website Maktab Al-Hedayah (Guidance Office), which violates a public order against sedition and destabilizing the social fabric. The court ordered that his website be blocked.

The defendant is not allowed to travel outside the Kingdom for 13 years after the expiry of his sentence.