Saudi sentences 15 to death for spying for Iran

A Saudi court today sentenced 15 people to death for spying for Iran, Saudi-owned newspaper Al-Riyadh reported, in a ruling that is likely to further stoke tension between the two rival powers.

The Specialised Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced 15 other Saudi suspects to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years, and acquitted two other, the Arabic-language newspaper said on its website.

The suspects, comprising of 30 Saudi Shias, one Iranian and an Afghan, were detained in 2013 on charges of spying for Iran and went on trial in February. The rulings can be appealed, and the death sentences must be ratified by King Salman.

Many of the suspects are former employees of the Saudi defence and interior ministries, Saudi media said. They were accused of setting up a spy ring and passing sensitive military and security information to Iran, seeking to sabotage Saudi economic interests, undermining community cohesion and inciting sectarian strife.

In January, Saudi Arabia executed a prominent Shia cleric convicted of involvement in the killing of policemen, prompting protesters to storm the Saudi embassy in Tehran. Riyadh then broke off diplomatic ties.