The trial of 22 terror suspects, all of them Saudis except a Bahraini national, began at the Specialized Penal Court in Riyadh, Saturday. The suspects have been charged with embracing Takfiri approach that violates the Qur'an and Sunnah and the consensus of the Ummah's forefathers, joining an Al-Qaeda terrorist cell under the leadership of Yusuf Al-‘Iyairi, supporting and financing terror and terrorist operations, preparing to carry out terrorist acts, forming terrorist cells and inciting people. The suspects have also been charged with using telecommunication equipment for ulterior motives; sheltering wanted militants, transporting and hiding them, carrying out armed resistance against security men, possessing weapons and ammunition and setting up and equipping a training camp in a desert area. Saturday's court session was attended by ten defendants. The Prosecutor General read out charges against individual defendants and handed them over a copy of the charges. The presiding judge explained to the defendants their right to hire a lawyer to defend them. In case they cannot bear the lawyer's fees, the Ministry of Justice will appoint a lawyer to defend them upon their request, the defendants were told. The court proceedings were attended by representatives of the Human Rights Commission and media personnel. __
