JEDDAH: The trial of four Al-Qaeda terrorists accused of plotting to assassinate the late King Abdullah opened at the Special Criminal Court here on Monday.
The prosecutor presented to the court charges against the four defendants. These were in addition to the charges that had previously been brought against them during their trial with members of a 47-member terrorist cell. Preliminary rulings were issued against members of the cell three years ago.
The prosecutor brought 41 new charges against the first defendant, including following takfiri and extremist ideology that violates the Sunnah; association with one of the leaders of Al-Qaeda to advance the organization’s interests in Saudi Arabia; traveling to Lebanon under the guidance of the one of the detained leaders to review camps there and coordinate the recruitment of Saudi youths to the camp for training.
He was also charged with receiving a USB device containing an encrypted message with a confidential number from a detainee in Lebanon for delivery to another Al-Qaeda member in Al-Qassim.
The second defendant, who assisted the first defendant in planning the assassination of the late king, was charged with 28 counts, including following an extremist ideology; criticizing and challenging the Saudi government; protecting others who challenged the state; and embracing Al-Qaeda’s agenda that calls for terrorist attacks inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
He was also charged with harboring Khaled Al-Sanea (who carried out a suicide attack that led to his death) for two days in his mosque before he left for Iraq, and supporting him financially.
The defendant was also charged with traveling to Riyadh with the first defendant to see him off before his travel.
He was also charged with the possession of Kalashnikov rifles.
The third defendant was charged with four counts for his ties and communication with wanted individuals from Al-Qaeda, who had invited him to join them in Afghanistan for fighting. He was charged with covering up their activities and supporting those who believe that fighting in jihad is permissible without obtaining the approval of the leader; glorifying former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden; and claiming that the demise of the state would be at his own hands.
The defendant is also charged with challenging public order by writing numerous articles that insulted Saudi Arabia, its leader, its senior scholars and the grand mufti, as well as threatening leaders and intelligence officers with lies and false allegations spread across the Internet. The prosecutor also brought nine charges against the fourth defendant for his ties and communications with a wanted member on the list of 85 wanted people; supporting extremist ideologies and agendas; encouraging terrorist operations; considering leaders of these groups heroes and jihadists; and supporting Osama Bin Laden as an Islamic leader.
He was also charged with carrying out impermissible relations with a number of women by contacting them via mobile phone and illegally engaging with them.
The prosecutor presented to the court charges against the four defendants. These were in addition to the charges that had previously been brought against them during their trial with members of a 47-member terrorist cell. Preliminary rulings were issued against members of the cell three years ago.
The prosecutor brought 41 new charges against the first defendant, including following takfiri and extremist ideology that violates the Sunnah; association with one of the leaders of Al-Qaeda to advance the organization’s interests in Saudi Arabia; traveling to Lebanon under the guidance of the one of the detained leaders to review camps there and coordinate the recruitment of Saudi youths to the camp for training.
He was also charged with receiving a USB device containing an encrypted message with a confidential number from a detainee in Lebanon for delivery to another Al-Qaeda member in Al-Qassim.
The second defendant, who assisted the first defendant in planning the assassination of the late king, was charged with 28 counts, including following an extremist ideology; criticizing and challenging the Saudi government; protecting others who challenged the state; and embracing Al-Qaeda’s agenda that calls for terrorist attacks inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
He was also charged with harboring Khaled Al-Sanea (who carried out a suicide attack that led to his death) for two days in his mosque before he left for Iraq, and supporting him financially.
The defendant was also charged with traveling to Riyadh with the first defendant to see him off before his travel.
He was also charged with the possession of Kalashnikov rifles.
The third defendant was charged with four counts for his ties and communication with wanted individuals from Al-Qaeda, who had invited him to join them in Afghanistan for fighting. He was charged with covering up their activities and supporting those who believe that fighting in jihad is permissible without obtaining the approval of the leader; glorifying former Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden; and claiming that the demise of the state would be at his own hands.
The defendant is also charged with challenging public order by writing numerous articles that insulted Saudi Arabia, its leader, its senior scholars and the grand mufti, as well as threatening leaders and intelligence officers with lies and false allegations spread across the Internet. The prosecutor also brought nine charges against the fourth defendant for his ties and communications with a wanted member on the list of 85 wanted people; supporting extremist ideologies and agendas; encouraging terrorist operations; considering leaders of these groups heroes and jihadists; and supporting Osama Bin Laden as an Islamic leader.
He was also charged with carrying out impermissible relations with a number of women by contacting them via mobile phone and illegally engaging with them.
