In 2008 , the Specialized Criminal Court was created . The court tries suspected terrorists and human rights activists . On 26 June 2011 , the court started trials of 85 people suspected of being involved in Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and the 2003 Riyadh compound bombings , and in September 2011 another 41 al-Qaeda suspects appeared in the court . In the same year , the court held trial sessions of human rights activists , including Mohammed Saleh al-Bejadi , co-founder of the Saudi Civil and Political Rights Association ( ACPRA ) and Mubarak Zu'air , a lawyer for long-term prisoners , and a protester , Khaled al-Johani , who spoke to BBC Arabic Television at a protest in Riyadh . The court convicted 16 of the human rights activists to sentences of 5 – 30 years on 22 November 2011
Riyadh compound bombings
Riyadh compound bombings
Judiciary of Saudi Arabia