Saudi Shia protestors take part in a demonstration against the death sentence on prominent Saudi Shia cleric and anti-government protest leader Nimr al-Nimr in the village of Awamiyah, in the eastern province of Saudi Arabia
AFP/Riyadh
More than 100 people protested in eastern Saudi Arabia on Friday to oppose death sentences against a Shia religious leader and seven others convicted after earlier demonstrations, an activist said.
Following Friday prayers they marched in the community of Awamiya to oppose "all harsh sentences and the death penalty against eight people," the activist told AFP.
On Tuesday a Saudi court sentenced to death two people "as a deterrent to others" in connection with protests by members of the minority Shia community that began three years ago.
They were tried on charges including "participating in marches and rallies that caused riots" in Awamiya, the official Saudi Press Agency reported without identifying the accused.
The activist said those sentenced to death were teenagers at the time of their arrest, and are among a total of eight who have received the death sentence.
Among them is Shia cleric Nimr al-Nimr, a driving force behind the demonstrations, who was sentenced last week.
The activist said protesters also gathered on Thursday night in the Saudi Gulf coastal community of Qatif to oppose the death penalty and support Nimr.
"The people here are very angry but they are also afraid," the activist said, asking for anonymity.
Several other accused have received multi-year jail sentences.
Following Nimr's conviction Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Deputy Foreign Minister of Shiite-majority Iran, said "such measures do not contribute to the restoration of peace and calm in the region."
