Massive Protests Held in Saudi Arabia over Killings in Al-Awamiyah
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Tens of thousands of people took to streets across Saudi Arabia’s eastern region of Qatif to condemn Saudi forces’ raid on houses of opposition members in al-Awamiyah city that left 5 people dead.
During the demonstrations held on Sunday, the protesters voiced their outrage over the killings of the opposition members by chanting anti-regime slogans.
The protesters also emphasized that the Saudi government should be held accountable for the incidents.
The demonstrators called for the immediate release of political prisoners, particularly senior Shiite Cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
The protesters also held mourning processions on the occasion of the demise anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The protests were held as Riyadh has stepped up its crackdown on opposition parties. Regime forces stormed a residential area and killed at least five people in Awamiyah on Saturday.
According to reports, the victims of the attack were anti-regime campaigners. Tens of people were wounded in the raid and the security forces also made several arrests.
It is not immediately clear what has been behind the violent military operation.
The area has already been simmering with tensions after a Saudi court sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death.
On 15 October 2014, Sheikh Nimr was sentenced to death by the Specialized Criminal Court for "seeking 'foreign meddling' in Saudi Arabia, 'disobeying' its rulers and taking up arms against the security forces. His brother, Mohammad al-Nimr, was arrested on the same day for tweeting information about the death sentence.
In November, Sheikh Nimr lodged a formal complaint against the verdict and the case will be referred to an appeal court, in which five judges will decide on the death sentence.
Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah in Eastern Province, despite a deadly crackdown by the regime.