Protesters in Qatif Slam Saudi Court Ruling on Sheikh Nimr (+Photos)


TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Upon hearing that Sheikh Nimr’s death sentence had been upheld by a Saudi Arabian appeals court, the youth in Qatif district in the kingdom's Eastern Province took to the streets to protest the ruling.

Tens of protesters took to the streets on Sunday night, calling on Saudi authorities to overturn the death sentence handed to the prominent Shiite cleric, whose arrest in July 2012 has sparked widespread protests and calls for his release.

The youth gathered in Qatif region, East of Saudi Arabia, where Nimr was attacked and arrested three years ago, being later charged with undermining the kingdom’s security, making anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners, ABNA reported on Monday.

The demonstrators carried placards and shouted slogans, urging the ruling Al Saud regime to release the respected cleric and Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, his nephew, who has also been also sentenced to death over his alleged role in anti-regime protests in 2012, when he was 17 years old.