Bahrainis Stage Massive Anti-Saudi Rallies in Solidarity with Jailed Cleric
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Bahraini people in different parts of the country poured into streets to voice their outrage over the Saudi regime’s decision to execute prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr and call for his immediate release.
Large groups of people attended the demonstrations in northern towns of A'ali, Ma'ameer and Bilad al-Qadeem, the hometown of Bahraini opposition leader Sheikh Ali Salman on the outskirts of the capital, Manama, according to the official website of Bahrain's February 14 Youth Coalition, a major opposition group.
They chanted anti-Saudi slogans and called for the immediate release of sheikh Nimr, who has been sentenced to death on political grounds.
Mohamed al-Nimr, the cleric’s brother, told Tasnim on October 25 that the death sentence has been referred to King Salman’s office for a final decision.
Saudi Arabia’s criminal court had earlier referred Sheikh Nimr’s case to an appeals court, where the verdict was upheld in early March.
The Bahraini protesters also condemned the Manama regime for its recent moves against the mourning ceremonies to mark the martyrdom anniversary of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), Imam Hussein (AS).
Bahrain, a staunch ally of the United States in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.
Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.
Troops from Saudi Arabia have been also deployed to Bahrain to assist in its crackdown on the peaceful protesters.