By Fatih Karimov – Trend:
Iran rejected carrying out any spying activities in Saudi Arabia, after a Saudi court sentenced 15 people to death, under charger of spying for Tehran.
The Islamic Republic is not involved in any activity against the international rules and diplomatic principles in Saudi Arabia, Iran’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi said, ISNA news agency reported.
Saudi media reported Dec. 6 that the Specialized Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced 15 people to death and 15 other to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years, accused of spying for Iran.
The defendants - comprising 30 Saudi Shiite Muslims, one Iranian and an Afghan - were detained in 2013 on charges of espionage for Iran and went on trial in February.
Qasemi said that the Saudi administration has not provided Tehran with any information about the identity of the Iranian citizen.
He added that Saudi Arabia’s accusations are baseless and politically-motivated, aimed at escalating the tension in the region. Qasemi warned the Saudi government that such moves will not benefit any country in the region.
Reportedly many of the defendants were former employees of the Saudi defense and interior ministries. They were accused of setting up a spy ring and passing sensitive military and security information to Iran in an effort to sabotage Saudi economic interests, undermine community cohesion and incite sectarian strife.
Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic relations with Iran after protesters stormed the kingdom's embassy in Tehran and consulate in Mashhad on January 2, 2016, in response to Riyadh's execution of a prominent Saudi Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr.