Against public criticism go Saudi Arabian courts drastically: Three attorneys have been sentenced to long prison terms; they had tweeted their contempt for the judicial system.

in court in Saudi Arabia has sentenced to prison terms of between five and eight years, three lawyers. The reason: They had criticized the court and judicial system of the country via short message service Twitter. The reported the Saudi news agency SPA.

The names of the attorneys were not disclosed. They were sentenced according to SPA for influencing public policy. The three men had manifested opinions against the rulers, and their contempt for the courts.

Since the start of the Arab Spring in 2011 to respond the rulers in Saudi Arabia, a US ally and most recently Destination of Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on criticism even more dramatic than before.

Long sentences Saudi Arabia:Twitter is “root of all evil”

The Royal House of the largest oil-exporter of the world fears that public opposition could lead to open protests. Recently, some Shi’ites had been convicted for their participation in anti-government protests and riots to death.

Twitter is widespread in Saudi Arabia, and the royal family and some senior clerics use it themselves. However, the service is criticized because it protests are organized. The morality police of the country was already felt. The Grand Mufti of the country, Abd al-Aziz al-Sheikh, recently described Twitter as “root of all evil and all the devastation.” The users would spread lies and slander Islam.

The legal and judicial system of the Kingdom to be really reformed a long time, it is a battle raging between arch-conservative and liberal forces. Claim human rights activists that defendants have more rights and guarantees judgments are predictable.

As early as 2007, King Abdullah announced changes in the court system, including about a Sharia-independent training of judges, the introduction of specialized criminal courts and officially recorded verdicts.

[adrotate group=”7″]