Appeals Court upholds death sentences in Iran spy cell case

JEDDAH: The Appeals Court in Riyadh has upheld the death sentences of 15 suspected members of an Iranian spy cell, a court source said.

The verdict will be handed to the Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority in the Kingdom.

Among the most prominent charges is the formation of a spy cell — in cooperation, liaison and communication with Iranian intelligence — to provide highly confidential military information.

Charges also included disclosure of defense secrets, and a meeting between some cell members and Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, in coordination with intelligence agents.

The cell members are also accused of holding several meetings in various places with Iranian intelligence agents, and handing over periodic reports affecting Saudi security and territorial integrity.

Some of the accused are charged with illegally entering information systems on computers to obtain confidential data affecting the Kingdom’s security and economy. They are also accused of supporting riots in Qatif province.

Some of those arrested hold senior positions in economics, finance and academia. One is a consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital, and another is an academic at King Saud University.

One was a senior official at a large bank who was in charge of facilitating the delivery of money to cell members.