Saudi coup attempt II

Andrew Hammond, the able Middle East correspondent for Reuters sent me this (I cite with his permission):  "Hi, The Saudi group referred to in that story is a group of 9 arrested in 2007 in Jeddah who were filed a petition the year before asking for constitutionary monarchy and then had a bad argument with Nayef where they told him one more time in prison didn't frighten them. A trumped up charge of "funding terrorism" was produced when they were picked up in 2007, which has now morphed into a "secret group" planning "to seize power". Bahraini PR against activists practicing their rights seems to have impressed them so they're inventing similar charges. In 2007 the core group, who are well-known in Jeddah, had been discussing the idea of setting up a political party. Six others have been added to the case since then. This story in Asharq al-Awsat is the first time Saudi media have acknowledged that the trial has begun and seems designed to prepare people for verdicts, some of which will be harsh (considering they did nothing). This is what I understand from speaking to family and others involved in the case."