Bahraini Shi’ite Scholar:

Kerry, Obama silent over Saudi sentence on Ayatollah Nimr

Rasa – A prominent Bahraini Shi’ite scholar has stated that the US government has given the Saudi government the “green light” to execute Ayatollah Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.

News ID: 2501

Date: 12 May 2015 - 19:37

RNA – In an exclusive interview with Rasa News Agency, Hujjat al-Islam Abdullah al-Daqqaq, the representative of the Bahraini Shi’ite leader, Shaykh Ali Salman, analyzed the latest developments in the Persian Gulf states.

Referring to the Saudi Arabian media’s announcement that they intend to execute Ayatollah Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, a prominent Shi’a cleric, on May 14, Hujjat al-Islam al-Daqqaq said this date coincides with the Rajab 24, which marks the martyrdom anniversary of the 7th Shi’ite Imam, Musa al-Kadhim (A).

“Due to the ongoing Saudi aggression on Yemen, the death sentence on Ayatollah al-Nimr is not beneficial to the House of Saud,” he said.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Daqqaq described the recent changes at the highest posts of the government of Saudi Arabia as decisions to hasten the execution of Ayatollah al-Nimr.

He added that the death sentence against Ayatollah al-Nimr was decided by Muhammad ibn Nayef Al Saud, the crown prince, first deputy prime minister and the minister of interior of Saudi Arabia and Muhammad ibn Salman, the Saudi defence minister.

“Implementing the death sentence upon this revered scholar is never far from their minds,” he said, “Muhammad ibn Nayef and ibn Salman have proved that they are willing to perform this foolish act.”

The Bahraini scholar stated that Muhammad ibn Nayef’s spite toward Ayatollah al-Nimr has been unveiled, explaining that throughout his life, Ayatollah al-Nimr spoke out against the many crimes committed by Nayef ibn Abdul-Aziz, the former Saudi crown price. Due to this, Muhammad ibn Nayef seeks revenge by executing Ayatollah al-Nimr on the anniversary of his father’s death.

Hujjat al-Islam al-Daqqaq referred to the US Secretary of State, John Kerry’s bewilderment on the Saudi decision to execute Ayatollah al-Nimr, saying that on May 6, Muhammad ibn Nayef informed Kerry of his decision during a meeting in Riyadh. “John Kerry expressed his surprise to President Barack Obama over the decision made by the House of Saud and by their silence, they gave the green light to Saudi Arabia to go ahead with the execution,” he stated.

He urged the scholars and countries of the region to put strong pressure on the House of Saud to prevent the execution of Ayatollah al-Nimr.

Ayatollah al-Nimr was arrested in July 2012 following demonstrations that erupted in the country’s Qatif region. He is accused of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners. His arrest sparked widespread protests in the Arab country.

In October 2014, Ayatollah al-Nimr’s family reported that a Saudi judge has found him guilty of “sedition” and sentenced him to death.

111/112