Saudi- Qatif preacher's trial ends verdict awaited

(MENAFN- Arab News) The trial of a terror suspect accused of inciting dissidence ended Sunday. The defendant a preacher now awaits a verdict on the hearing.

The suspect was accused of instigating and leading a riot in Awamiyah Qatif last year.

The defendant reportedly triggered the riot to shield wanted terrorists from police and had allegedly harbored some of these criminals at his house.

Charges against the defendant also include resisting arrest by ramming his car into a police patrol car near a Civil Defense building.

The man was caught after police opened fire at him as he fled the scene of the crime.

Suspects in two other cars then shot at the police car as the wounded man was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Evidence revealed that the preacher staunchely opposed the arrest of nine terrorists in connection with the bombing of a residential building in Alkhobar in 1995. The suspect has also been charged with meddling in the internal affairs of neighboring states by inciting dissidence terror and riots in those countries.

The defendant refused to give access to the e-mails or websites he used to investigators but confessed to meeting up with wanted terror suspects at a local mosque.

He also stated during his trial that he revoked his allegiance to the king because he could only pledge allegiance to the 12th imam of the Shiite creed.

The defendant also admitted inciting dissidence in at least nine Friday sermons. The man had also questioned the legitimacy of neighboring Gulf governments in his speeches.