3 sentenced to death for firing at police

The Special Criminal Court in Riyadh on Wednesday sentenced three Saudis to death for firing at police patrols and the Qatif prison. 
A fourth person was sentenced to 12 years in prison for firing at police patrols and government buildings and receiving and smuggling weapons by sea. 
The judge condemned the first defendant after he was convicted of taking up arms against the leadership of the state and participating with a number of other accused in firing machine guns and pistols at more than one police patrol and the building of the prison. This was adjudged banditry and corruption in the land. He was also found guilty of smuggling machine guns into the Kingdom and training people in shooting in support of those who died in shootout with police in Qatif. 
He was also convicted of taking part in operations to undermine domestic security; harboring others who participated in such crimes; possessing weapons to undermine public order; and receiving message through social media from one of those who have deviant thoughts. His conviction also related to coordinating through cellphones to obtain weapons and use them against police patrols. 
Because the defendant retracted his admission to avoid greater punishment, the court decided to rule this out, and sentenced him to death. The second defendant was also convicted of taking up arms against authorities as he participated with the others in firing a machine gun and two pistols more than 10 times at security patrols and at the building of the Qatif prison. 
He was also found guilty of training in weapons and using these in operations against homeland security; smuggling machine guns and pistols and trading in them; visiting one of the injured in a shootout with police, and not reporting it to the authorities and the fact that he had been treated.
Because the defendant retracted his admission which was considered as an attempt to rule out his banditry to avoid punishment, the court decided to rule against his crimes and gave him the death sentence.
The third defendant was also convicted of similar charges. He was also sentenced to death because the court was not convinced of the retracting of his admission, also seen as an effort made to avoid greater punishment. 
The fourth defendant was accused of taking part with the others in firing at police patrols and government buildings, and receiving weapons by sea and smuggling them, and harboring one of those wanted while being in a suspicious location. He was jailed for 12 years, his prison term starting from the day of his arrest. He was prohibited from traveling outside the Kingdom for a similar period that starts once he leaves prison.

Source: Arab News