RIYADH — A lawyer defending 32 people facing trial on charges of spying for Iran was himself accused of committing legal excesses that include inciting hostility against the Kingdom by foreign countries. According to informed sources, the lawyer, who was not identified, violated a royal decree that incriminates support for extremist religious ideology. The lawyer was part of the legal team chosen by the accused to defend them in court. The defendants include 30 Saudis, an Iranian and an Afghan. He, however, could not defend the suspects because he never attended any court session nor did he meet with his clients in prison. After failing to defend his clients in the court, which is still trying the 32 men, the lawyer posted a number of tweets on his Twitter account from abroad. He attacked the state and cast doubts on the integrity of the Saudi judicial system. He also boasted about being the main speaker at a symposium organized by a hostile group in Germany. He spoke to the foreign media criticizing the trial procedures even though the defendants had dismissed him because of his continuous absence from the court. The trial is being held in open court where the families of the defendants, media persons and representatives of human rights organizations in attendance. The sources said what the lawyer had done was a gross violation of a royal decree issued in 2014 criminalizing any kind of support to terrorist organizations or any act that might serve their goals. The royal decree listed 11 violations that could make people who commit them accountable and subject to legal action. The violations also included inciting foreign countries and international organizations against the Kingdom or attending conferences held in hostile countries aimed at undermining Saudi Arabia's security and stability. The royal decree incriminates any action that may lead to spreading sedition in Saudi society. The violations also included promoting or participating in mob protests, sit-ins or demonstrations.
