RNA – In a meeting with a delegation of Lebanese scholars, Ayatollah Hoseyn Nouri-Hamadani condemned Saudi Arabia’s death sentence on the Shi’ite cleric Ayatollah Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, saying that its actions will have immense repercussions for the Saudi monarchy.
“If this death sentence is implemented, the entire Islamic world rise up against the Saudi regime,” His Eminence stated.
A Saudi court had recently sentenced Ayatollah Nimr to death. However, the enforcement of the ruling has been postponed. This week, Nimr’s death sentence was upheld, the renowned cleric’s brother said on his Twitter account.
Ayatollah Nimr is accused of delivering anti-government speeches and defending political prisoners.
Nimr was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region in July 2012. His arrest sparked widespread protests in the Wahhabi kingdom leaving several people dead.
These protests have continued due to the suppression of the country’s Shi’ite minority and analysts state that they could spill over into other regions of the country.
Saudi Arabia’s oil-rich Eastern Province has been the scene of numerous demonstrations by Shi’ite Muslims since 2011.
International human rights organizations have censured the Persian Gulf monarchy for its failure to address the issue of human rights in Saudi Arabia. Critics say the country shows zero-tolerance toward dissent.
Amnesty International has called the death sentence on Ayatollah Nimr “appalling,” saying the verdict should be quashed.
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