Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — The Criminal Court in Riyadh sentenced on Saturday six culprits, who were involved in the robbery of automated teller machine (ATM), to a total of 64 years of imprisonment.

The defendants included one Saudi citizen and five Arab nationals while five others are absconding. The convicted Arab nationals will be deported after serving their jail term and will not be allowed to return to the Kingdom.

An official source at the Saudi Public Prosecution stated that the Public Prosecution team filed criminal lawsuit against the culprits in connection with robbery of ATM in Al-Jazirah neighborhood of Riyadh on Friday, Feb. 20 this year.

The court found the culprits guilty of robbery and another crime of money laundering. The court confiscated money amounting to SR700,000 seized from their possession after discovering that the money was from the proceeds of money laundering.

The court also ruled the convicts to return the value of the money stolen from the ATM, which is estimated to SR1.4 million, in addition to the confiscation of vehicles used in the crime.

It was revealed in the investigation that the gang, consisting of 11 people of different nationalities, involved in blasting the ATM and stealing the money. The Public Prosecution has sought the support of Interpol to bring the absconding thieves back to the Kingdom to complete the legal procedures against them.

The source at Public Prosecution said that International Cooperation Department at the Public Prosecution Office has issued extradition requests through the Interpol to apprehend the absconding defendants.