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Kuwait Sentences Two To Death For Spying For Iran, Hizballah


A Kuwaiti court has sentenced two men accused of spying for Iran and Lebanon's Shi'ite militant Hizballah group to death.

The defendants were also convicted on January 12 of plotting attacks in the Persian Gulf country.

One of the men is an Iranian convicted in absentia, and the other is a Kuwaiti who was in court.

Other Kuwaiti Shi'a defendants were given sentences ranging from five to 25 years. Three were found innocent and one was fined.

Tensions between Shi'ite-ruled Iran and Sunni-ruled Gulf countries have escalated since a diplomatic row between Tehran and Saudi Arabia erupted following Riyadh's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric this month.

Saudi Arabia broke off relations with Tehran after its diplomatic missions in Iran were stormed by protesters, while Kuwait recalled its envoy to Tehran.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP

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