Ahmad Abdullah Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – The Special Penal Court in Riyadh on Wednesday rejected a plea by some members of the Cell of 49 to bar media persons from their trial on the grounds that the press distorted statements they made during the court proceedings. Eight defendants appeared at the trial and demanded they be released saying the protracted court proceedings unjustifiably prolonged their detention. They did not present any replies to the charges against them as their lawyers wanted more time to prepare the defense. Defendant No. 27 appeared to be more agitated than the rest of the defendants. Charges against him included affiliation to Al-Qaeda and embracing Takfiri ideology against the teachings of the Holy Qur'an and the Prophet's Sunnah. He was also accused of possessing Al-Qaeda literature and inciting others to join the network. He also alleged to have supported terrorist operations. “Release us. We've not harmed anyone. What we did was according to the edicts of our sheikhs. They were not personal views,” the defendant told the presiding judge in his plea. He said his continued detention ruined his future as he had lost his job. “Do you want us to return to terrorism?” he asked. One of the foreign defendants demanded that he be treated for a malignant tumor in his head. He claimed that he did not receive proper treatment and care in jail and asked the judge to order his deportation. The judge said his complaint would be studied by those overseeing the case and assured him that there would be no negligence in completing the procedures for any of the defendants. He also stressed that the release of any defendant who deserved it would not be delayed. Several of the defendants who have not been found guilty of any of the charges against them have been released, the judge added. He called on the defendants and their lawyers to expedite steps to present replies to the charges against them.
