The Central Criminal Court of Iraq in Baghdad convicted 65 people in recent weeks for a range of crimes, including an Iraqi who was sentenced to death for joining armed groups to participate in terrorist activities.

The convictions and sentences were issued from Sept. 15 to Oct. 4.

The man who received the death sentence was a member of Al Qaida, according to a news release issued Sunday by Multi-National Force-Iraq.

Four defendants were sentenced to life imprisonment after being observed preparing to attack a checkpoint with a rocket-propelled grenade and small arms, according to the release.

After a exchange of fire, the defendants ran into a mosque and ground forces were fired upon and attacked by mortar rounds.

A Saudi Arabian man, captured in November of 2004, was found guilty of organizing, leading or joining armed groups and sentenced to life imprisonment.

The man admitted he was a foreign fighter who came to Iraq for jihad, the release said.

An Iraqi was likewise sentenced to life imprisonment on the same charge after he was captured in December 2005 during a raid. He was an active member of Ansar Al Sunna in Mosul, the release said.

Two Iraqi men were found guilty of the use or attempted use of explosive and sentenced to life imprisonment. Coalition forces captured them while inspecting the area where an explosive went off, killing a Coalition soldier. A wire led from the area to a house.

Meanwhile, men from Egypt, Syria, Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Iran were convicted of passport violations or entering the country illegally. Sentences ranged from one to 30 years imprisonment.

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