Sheikh Nimr’s Brother Hails Support, Rejects Violent Moves against Riyadh
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Mohammed al-Nimr, the brother of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr who was recently executed by Saudi Arabia, said the cleric’s family appreciates the moves to support his cause but is against any attack on Saudi embassies in the world.
In a Monday post in his social network account, Sheikh Nimr’s brother said, “We appreciate your love towards the martyr Sheikh al-Nimr who lives in our hearts.”
He added, however, that “we refuse attacks on Saudi embassies in Iran or other countries.”
He made the remarks in reference to recent protest rallies held in Iran where outraged people stormed the Arab country’s embassy in reaction to Riyadh’s execution of Sheikh Nimr.
Iranian Deputy Interior Minister for Security Affairs Hossein Zolfaqari on Sunday pointed to the rally held in front of the Saudi embassy in Tehran on Saturday night, which turned violent when protesters threw stones and Molotov cocktails at the embassy and clashed with police, saying Iranian authorities totally disapprove attacking diplomatic buildings.
A number of individuals involved in the attack on the embassy were detained by police.
The deputy minister also said any kind of violent acts against foreign embassies and diplomatic missions in Tehran will be dealt with firmly.
Earlier, Iran’s President Hassan Rouhani had criticized the protests, saying Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic premises in Iran should be protected.
He further called on the Interior Ministry to cooperate with the Judiciary and the Intelligence Ministry to identify perpetrators of Saturday night’s protests at the Saudi embassy and consulate and bring them to justice.
Saudi Arabia earlier on Saturday executed 47 prisoners, including Sheikh Nimr.
The cleric’s name was among a list of the 47 carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It cited the interior ministry for the information. Saudi state television also reported the executions.
Sheikh Nimr had been detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.
