Saudi court: Egyptian convicted of espionage for Iran used sorcery

A Riyadh court sentenced an Egyptian citizen living in Saudi Arabia to six years in jail on Monday on charges of espionage for Iran, and communicating with a sorcerer with intent to use sorcery against his Kafeel (sponsor), according to media reports.

The defendant reportedly acquired a secret Saudi military document, containing information on the route of a military vehicle and the military personnel on board, which he allegedly e-mailed to the Iranian embassy in Lebanon.

The London-based Saudi newspaper Al-Hayah reported that the Egyptian national was sentenced to five years imprisonment for espionage, and one year for attempting to use sorcery against his Kafeel. This violates the Kafeel system in which foreigners in Saudi Arabia are assigned a local sponsor, most often their employer, who obtains some guardianship rights over them.

The Egyptian, who was unnamed in media reports, was also issued a 5000 Saudi riyal fine and will reportedly be deported after serving his sentence.

Egypt’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Nasser Hamdy, told the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Egyptian government respects the Saudi judiciary, which he described as being “clear and transparent in all cases.”

Hamdy further supported the verdict stating: “If the case harms the security of the nation, or affects its national security, justice has to run its course, regardless of the identity of the defendant.”

There is another espionage case allegedly involving Iran that is being heard by the same Saudi court, with 32 defendants, Al-Hayat newspaper reported.

The arrest of lawyer Ahmed Gizawy in 2012, and subsequent protests, led to the temporary retraction of the Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, and brought the issue of Egyptians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia and their mistreatment into the spotlight.

Gizawy was charged with possession of narcotics, but activists suspected he was targeted for campaigning for Egyptian prisoners in Saudi Arabia. He was sentenced to five years in jail and 300 lashes in 2013.

In October 2012, 28 Egyptians in Saudi prisons announced a hunger strike to demand their release. Sherine Farid, coordinator of the union for the families of Egyptians in Saudi prisons, said those striking were detained without charges and without trial for up to seven years.

Al-Tahrir newspaper reported in May that Egypt’s ambassador in Riyadh urged Saudi officials to release 1000 Egyptians in Saudi jails.