Saudi court sentences 15 to death for spying for Iran

A Saudi court on Tuesday sentenced 15 persons to death on charges of spying for Iran, media reported.

The convicts are part of a network of 32 persons. Two were acquitted and 15 others were handed down jail terms ranging from six months to 25 years, Xinhua news agency reported.

Most of the convicts, who are 30 Saudis, an Iranian and an Afghani, worked in the military and diplomatic sectors. They were detained in 2013 and went on trial in February.

The court charged them with forming a group to spy for the Iranian intelligence to provide sensitive military information about the kingdom and some of the network members met Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in coordination with the Iranian intelligence.

Some of the convicts were occupying high posts in economic, financial and academic sectors.

Saudi Arabia has been accusing Iran of standing behind regional disturbances by interfering in the internal affairs of countries, such as Bahrain and Yemen, allegations that were dismissed by Iran.

Saudi Arabia cut its ties with Iran earlier this year and asked its envoy to leave the country.

--IANS

sm/vt