Saudi Court Upholds Sheikh Nimr’s Death Sentence
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - A Saudi Arabian court upheld a death sentence handed down to prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
A Saudi court had recently sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death, two years after his arrest prompted deadly protests in east of the kingdom. However, the enforcement of the ruling has been postponed, Al-Manar reported.
His brother, Mohammed al-Nimr, reported the Wednesday's ruling on his Twitter account.
Former interior minister, Prince Ahmed bin Abdulaziz, previously accused Nimr of being "mentally unbalanced". The senior Shiite cleric is also accused of delivering anti-government speeches and of defending political prisoners.
Activists say there are over 30,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia.
International human rights organizations have criticized Saudi Arabia for failing to address the rights situation in the kingdom. They say Saudi Arabia has persistently implemented repressive policies that stifle freedom of expression, association and assembly.