Iranian Cleric Laments Death Penalty for Sheikh Nimr
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian senior cleric Ayatollah Nasser Makarem Shirazi deplored as “intolerable” the death sentence for the top Shiite figure, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, handed down by a Saudi Arabian court.
“We warn the Saudi officials that such harsh moves seriously wound the sentiments of the world’s whole Shiites… and have dire consequences,” the Iranian cleric said in a statement on Tuesday.
Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi also criticized the Saudi government for jailing the Shiite scholars just for “seeking freedom to perform religious rites.”
The top Iranian cleric further denounced the self-proclaimed advocates of human rights for their muted response to Sheikh Nimr’s death sentence, saying because the case is in favor of the hegemonic governments.
Saudi Arabia has reportedly sentenced 26 people to death on such charges as giving speeches critical of the Al Saud and participating in protests against the ruling family.
Among those sentenced to death is Sheikh Nimr, who was attacked, injured and arrested by security forces en route to his house in the Qatif region of Eastern Province on July 8, 2012.
He has been charged with disturbing the country’s security, giving anti-regime speeches, insulting King Abdullah in Friday Prayers sermons, and defending the political prisoners.