Saudi cleric Nimr in 'high spirits' despite looming execution: Family member
Prominent Saudi Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, is in "high spirits" despite reports suggesting that he is at risk of imminent execution, his brother says.
"He's good, very well, high spirits. His health is very good and he is ready for anything, even for death," AFP reported on Tuesday, quoting Jaffar al-Nimr as saying.
He made the remarks after visiting his brother at Al-Ha'ir Prison, situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh.
Several other family members, including Sheikh Nimr's mother, were also present at the one-hour jail visit.
On November 26, Amnesty International said that Sheikh Nimr was among six Shia activists facing looming execution, citing media "close to the Saudi Arabian authorities."
The London-based human rights group also noted that the individuals were "clearly convicted in unfair trials."
Sheikh Nimr is not concerned by those executions stories, his brother said and accused the Saudi Interior Ministry of sometimes issuing reports in a bid to gauge public reaction.
Nimr's family, however, are still "very worried," he said.
Nimr, a cleric highly respected by the Saudi Shias, was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region of Eastern Province back in 2012 on charges of undermining the kingdom’s security, making anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners. Nimr has denied the accusations.
In October last year, a Saudi court sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death, provoking huge condemnations and criticism in the Middle East and the world.
Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations since February 2011, with protesters demanding reforms, freedom of expression, the release of political prisoners and an end to widespread discrimination against people of the oil-rich region. Several people have been killed and many others have been injured or arrested during the rallies.
International rights bodies have criticized Saudi Arabia for its grim human rights record, arguing that widespread violations continue unabated in the country.
Saudi delegation meets HTS leader at presidential palace in Damascus
Saudi man arrested after deadly car attack on German Christmas market
Riyadh ‘urgently’ seeks to boost ties with Tehran: Report
‘Ethnic cleansing’: Hamas blasts Israeli attacks on Gaza hospital amid intl. silence
Saudi delegation meets HTS leader at presidential palace in Damascus
Relentless Israeli ceasefire violations justify need for self-defense: Lebanese MP
Tel Aviv tells Damascus Israeli forces will remain in occupied territory: Report
Dec. 22: ‘Axis of Resistance’ operations against Israeli occupation
‘Abhorrent’: Oxfam says only 12 trucks delivered aid in North Gaza since Oct.
VIDEO | Leader receives religious eulogists on Hazrat Fatima birth anniv.
Pope Francis slams Israel’s ‘machine-gunning’ of Gaza children
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
