Iran Denies Espionage Charges in Saudi Arabia as 'Baseless and Unfounded'

Bahram Qasemi, the spokesperson for Iran's Foreign Ministry, reacted on Tuesday, December 7, to the issuance of death sentences for 15 individuals in Saudi Arabia on charges of espionage for Iran, stating that Tehran has not engaged in any activities contrary to international regulations and diplomatic principles in Saudi Arabia. According to ISNA news agency, Qasemi called the espionage allegations 'baseless and unfounded' and added that these accusations are 'politically motivated, false, and rejected.' Previously, Saudi state media reported that a court in the country sentenced 15 individuals to death for espionage for Iran. According to Reuters, the special criminal court in Riyadh also sentenced another 15 individuals in the same case to prison terms ranging from six months to 25 years, while two others were acquitted. Saudi media reported that many of those sentenced in connection with this case were former employees of the Saudi Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Interior. They are accused of 'creating a spy ring, reporting sensitive military and security information to Iran, and intending to harm Saudi economic interests and societal cohesion while inciting sectarian conflict.' According to AFP, some of these individuals are also accused of having met with Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic. The sentences issued for these individuals are subject to appeal, and the death sentences for the 15 defendants are to be sent for confirmation to the office of the King of Saudi Arabia. According to AFP, Human Rights Watch described the trial of 32 individuals in Saudi Arabia as a 'mockery of justice' and stated that this court 'did not even respect the basic rights of the defendants in its proceedings.' According to ISNA, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson further stated, 'Saudi Arabia should not seek to impose baseless accusations against the Islamic Republic of Iran for political exploitation and to increase tensions in the region.' Bahram Qasemi also commented on the identity and accusations against an Iranian individual accused of espionage, stating, 'The Saudi government has not provided any information to the Islamic Republic of Iran regarding this alleged individual.' The judicial proceedings for these 32 individuals began in February, one month after Riyadh severed diplomatic relations with Iran due to an attack by individuals on its diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad. Following the execution of Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric in Saudi Arabia, a group referred to as 'rogue' attacked these diplomatic buildings after protests in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran and its consulate in Mashhad, causing damage. Previously, Riyadh had accused Tehran of interfering in Saudi domestic affairs, an accusation that Iran has denied. In turn, Tehran accuses Riyadh of supporting Salafi groups in Iran, which Saudi Arabia denies. The two countries also have disagreements over regional issues, accusing each other of interfering in the affairs of Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. Nevertheless, the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson stated, 'The principled policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the countries of the Persian Gulf is to respect good neighborliness, mutual respect, and non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries.'