Saudi Arabia has sentenced 14 people to death on terrorism charges after they were convicted of attacks on police in area of Qatif in the Eastern Province while one accused set free.
Another nine people were given jail sentences of three to 15 years and one was acquitted, their defense lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous.
According to media report the charges had included opening fire on security forces and civilians, causing several deaths and destruction of property. They were also accused of peddling drugs and armed robbery against shops and cars.
The 24 defendants, most in their 20s, had been held for about four years and accused of carrying weapons and shooting at police, he said. During 2011-14 protests, around 20 Shi’ites and several police officers were killed.
