Saudi police keep tight control over any political dissent

The court gave the group, including a Saudi woman, sentences ranging from two to six months and ordered them to receive between 100 and 250 lashes.

The state prosecutor called the sentences too lenient and said the government would appeal.

The protests were linked to a UK-based exile with alleged links to al-Qaeda.

A further six defendants are still awaiting trial.

Assets frozen

Last month's demonstrations in Jeddah and Riyadh were called by prominent Saudi dissident Saad al-Faqih, leader of the Movement for Islamic Reform in Arabia (Mira), who has been based in London.

The Bank of England recently froze funds linked to Mr Faqih after he was accused by the United Nations of ties to the Islamist militant organisation al-Qaeda - a charge he denies.

An overwhelming Saudi security presence ensured that the demonstrators could not gather in significant numbers, particularly in the capital, Riyadh.

The Saudi government also accuses Mr Faqih of involvement in extremism. Mr Faqih accuses the Saudi authorities of corruption and deviating from the precepts of Islam.

The Saudi government recently gave signs of a willingness to reform.