Saudis hold demonstrations over Nimr execution

Hundreds of people have held fresh protest rallies in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province to condemn the execution of prominent cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr at the hands of the Riyadh regime.

The demonstrations were held in Awamiyah, the hometown of Sheikh Nimr, and the city of Qatif on Friday with demonstrators carrying black flags and portraits of the prominent cleric and three other executed Shia activists and chanting slogans against the kingdom’s ruling dynasty, such as “Death to the Saud family” and “Fall, fall, Al Saud.”

The execution of the Shia cleric has drawn condemnation from governments and human rights groups from all over the world. Multiple protests have been held in Nimr’s home town and in Qatif. The execution also sparked anti-Saudi demonstrations in many other countries, including Iran, Bahrain, Pakistan, and India.

Sheikh Nimr, a critic of the Riyadh regime, was shot by Saudi police and arrested in 2012 in Qatif, where peaceful anti-regime demonstrations were being held regularly at the time.

He was charged with instigating unrest and undermining the kingdom’s security. He had rejected the charges as baseless.

The Eastern Province has been the scene of peaceful demonstrations since February 2011. Protesters have been demanding reforms, freedom of expression, and the release of political prisoners. They want an end to economic and religious discrimination against the region.

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