KSA’s Supreme Court Upholds Death Sentence on Sheikh Al-Nimr

Local Editor

Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has rejected an appeal against the death sentence passed earlier this year on the Ayatollah Sheik Nimr al-Nimr, who had called for pro-democracy demonstrations and whose arrest in 2012 sparked protests in which three people were martyred.

Nimr's brother Mohammed said the sentence had been upheld after hearings that took place without his lawyers or family members being given prior notice. His fate now rests with King Salman, who is empowered to issue a pardon.

Nimr and six other Saudi Shias, including his nephew Ali, have been sentenced to death and then to have their bodies put on public display in the most severe penalty in the kingdom.

"We don't want anything to happen to him or to Ali or the other young men," Mohammed al-Nimr said.

More than 20 civilians were martyred in demonstrations in the Eastern province district of Qatif between 2011 and 2013, called in protest against sectarian discrimination, Riyadh's role in ending protests in Bahrain and the fate of previously detained local people.

Three were killed in protests in the two days after Nimr's arrest, along with a police officer.

Nimr had long been regarded as the most vocal Shia leader in Qatif, willing to publicly criticize the ruling al-Saud family and call for elections. He was, however, careful to avoid calling for violence.

Iran's deputy foreign minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said in an interview with state TV on Sunday that "the execution of Sheikh Nimr would mean Saudi Arabia facing a heavy cost".

Last week the British prime minister, David Cameron, said he did not expect Ali al-Nimr to be executed.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team