An Abha court has sentenced the leader of an armed gang to death and three-day “crucifixion” (public displaying of the beheaded body) and six other gang members to beheading for their role in jewelry store robberies in Asir. Two others from the 23-strong group were given 15 years in prison, six received 10 years, and one was given a seven-year prison term. All the sentences included whippings of between 1,000 and 1,300 lashes. The verdicts further included one 15-month prison term and one-year sentences for six persons. The 23 persons were arrested between 2005 and 2007 by regional police in Asir, with the ringleader held in 2007 in Wadi Bin Hashbal, shortly after carrying out an armed robbery in the towns of Tanouma and Qana.
