Sheikh Nimr arrest might spark new Shiite protests in Saudi Arabia

Following the announcement of the injury of Sheikh Nimr Baqr Al-Nimr, protesters went to the streets yesterday, denounced the news, held the sheikh’s photos, walked from al-Awamiyah town and joined other protesters in King Abdulaziz Street in the city of Qatif.        Sheikh Nimr Baqr Al-Nimr is a Shiite cleric from the mostly Shiite Qatif region of the Eastern province. He was injured while the security forces were chasing his car.                   

Shiite activists and websites had also reported that the Saudi security forces fired at the protesters, killing two and injuring ten others…        
Sheikh Nimr, 53 years old, had declared ten days ago that his arrest or murder “will be a firm doctrine, will double the movements and will wake the dignity tree”.        

Saudi Interior Ministry          

The Saudi Interior Ministry issued a statement whereby it confirmed the killing of two protesters and the injury of two others, denying any clashes between the protesters and the police. The Ministry’s spokesman Major General Mansour Turki told Reuters that the competent authorities initiated investigations in the incident. “The security forces will not be lenient with rioters who mistreated their community and their homeland, and made out of themselves tools in the hands of the enemies”, he said.     

Turki confirmed the arrest of Sheikh Nimr, accusing him of “sedition”.          

Shiites in Qatif region say they struggle to get government jobs or university places, that their neighborhoods suffer under-investment, and that their places of worship are often closed down. The government denies charges of discrimination.