Saudi: 32 charged with spying for Iran

A network of 32 suspects attended a hearing in the Specialised Criminal Court in Saudi Arabia yesterday charged with spying for Iran, pro-Saudi news network Al-Arabiya reported.

They include 30 Saudis, an Iranian and an Afghani.

The Saudi intelligence services detained 27 of the suspects in March 2013; they had been under investigation prior to their arrest and guided authorities to the location of the other five suspects.

According to Al-Arabiya, the suspects are accused of “establishing a spying unit in collaboration with members of the Iranian intelligence and providing very important and dangerous information relating to the military field.”

They are also accused of meeting the Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and “carrying out hostile acts against Saudi Arabia and committing high treason against their country and their king.”

In addition, they are accused of “owning banned books, publications and automated computer devices which might be prejudicial to public order and the security of Saudi Arabia.”