IRAN SPITS FIRE AT SAUDI ARABIA FOR EXECUTION OF TOP SHIA CLERIC SHEIKH NIMR AL-NIMR

SHEIKH NIMR AL-NIMR

The authorities of Iran have issued a stern warning to Saudi Arabia for its execution of a prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr today, Saturday, January 2nd.

The cleric, Nimr was one of the motivating figures in the 2011 protest that took place in Saudi Arabia which is led by the Sunni but has a Shia minority which alleges marginalization. Nimr was executed with 46 others that included dozens of al-Qaeda members in Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution in over thirty years.


There were protests by hundreds of Shias in the home of Nimr, Qatif in respect of the execution with chants of "down with the Al Saud" calling for the downfall of the Saudi ruling family.

As expected Iran and its Shia allies came out in condemnation of the execution stating that Saudi Arabia and the Al Saud would face dire consequences for the act. The protests were reported to have spread to as far as India.

Iran alleged hypocrisy on the part of Saudi Arabia saying its government supports terrorist movements and extremists but goes against domestic critics with oppression and execution.

Other criticism came from Lebanon and Iraq stating that the act was a grave mistake and would have grave consequences on the region’s security.

Even from Europe came adverse reactions from the United Kingdom and Germany.

It is reported that the executions were carried out in 12 cities in Saudi Arabia and the executions in four prisons were done using firing squads while the others were by beheading.

Speaking on the execution, Saudi Arabia’s leading cleric, Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh said it was an act of “mercy” to the prisoners who might have committed crimes on their release; he said they were carried out in line with Islamic law and with the aim to safeguard the kingdom's security.

Among those executed were Sunnis who had been convicted of involvement in al-Qaeda bombings and shootings that killed Saudis and foreigners in the kingdom in 2003 and 2004. However, Nimr's nephew, Ali al-Nimr, arrested at the age of 17 and allegedly tortured while in detention a situation which drew the ire of rights watchdogs and the United States was not among those executed.

Coming out in strong defense of Saudi Arabia, its allies like the United Arab Emirates, said the executions served as "clear message against terrorism".

Even Bahrain, which has a restive Shia majority population, expressed its support for Saudi Arabia in "all deterrent and needed measures it takes to confront violence and extremism".