Riyadh: A court in Saudi Arabia has convicted 11 of its citizens on terrorism-related charges, including disobeying the king and fighting in Afghanistan.

The defendants were given prison sentences ranging from four months to four years. All were banned from travelling abroad for at least one year following their release.

The special penal court in Riyadh did not immediately release further details related to the case.

Saudi Arabia runs a rehabilitation program that aims to dissuade militants from fighting alongside Al Qaida and its affiliates.

An audio recording released days ago by Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula urged Saudis to revolt against the kingdom for allowing US drones to launch missions from its soil and strike militants in neighbouring Yemen, where the group is most active.