A court in Riyadh has sentenced three persons of African origin to a total of 30 years in prison and 3,000 lashes of the whip for robbery. Each of them will spend ten years in prison and receive 1,000 lashes. Citing a police statement released Thursday, Okaz newspaper said that the convicted three who were all in their thirties had formed a gang that robbed jewelry shops during prayer times. The trio, police said, had confessed to the charges. Police said that the gang's activities were uncovered when the three abandoned a car and fled on foot from an approaching police car, leading to a pursuit resulting in their detention.When their vehicle was inspected it was found to contain jewelry and gold stolen from stores while shop assistants were conducting prayers.
