Riyadh: A Saudi national was sentenced to 23 years in prison for covering up terrorist attacks that targeted government-run security facilities and joining Al-Qaeda's Yemen wing.

The Criminal Court also found him guilty of drug-trafficking, defaming the rulers and pledging allegiance to Al-Qaeda.

The court also convicted him of harbouring Al-Qaeda members, transporting terrorists, weapons, explosives and ammunition and failing to alert the authorities on plans to carry out terrorist attacks targeting government facilities and security locations.

Inquiry revealed that the convict had been persuaded by his brother, also a member of Al-Qaeda in Yemen, to join the terrorist group to carry out acts of terrorism and sabotage within Saudi Arabia.

The court banned him from travelling abroad for 23 years after serving his jail term, ordered the confiscation of both his mobile phones, and sentenced him to 80 lashes in public.