JEDDAH – The Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defense announced on Saturday theexecution of three soldiers convicted of high treason.

Citing verses from the Holy Quran as well as the relevant Sharia laws andprovisions related to treason against the state and aiding the enemy,Ministry of Defense issued a statement identifying the three soldiers asMuhammad bin Ahmed bin Yahya Akam, Shaher bin Isa bin Qasim Haqawi, andHamoud bin Ibrahim bin Ali Hazmi, working in the Defense Ministry.

It said that the three soldiers were convicted of high treason followingthe investigation which uncovered their collaboration with the enemy overplots against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s military interests, securityand stability, adding that the convicted soldiers had been referred to thespecialized court with all judicial guarantees essential for fair trial,the rule of law and the proper administration of justice.

With the court having sufficient evidence of high treason and, according tothe relevant laws, the ministry said that the three soldiers had beensentenced to death and a royal decree had been issued upholding the court’sruling.

The ministry said that the three soldiers were executed today in theSouthern Region Military Command.

Voicing trust in the loyalty of the Armed Forces’ personnel and theirdedication to serve and protect the homeland, the ministry denounced theheinous crime, saying it is alien to its members and the country’s values.