Saudi Man Gets 15 Years for Shiite Cleric Support

Rasa - A court in Riyadh has sentenced a Saudi national to 15 years in prison for supporting executed Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr, local media reported on Thursday.

News ID: 424765

Date: 03 November 2016 - 15:49

RNA - Al-Riyadh newspaper did not name the convicted man, who it said took part "in rallies and marches" in the Shiite-dominated Gulf coast district of Qatif, AFP reported.

He was also convicted of "chanting anti-state slogans and sympathizing with the deceased Nimr", as well as helping to block roads and burn tires, it said.

Among other accusations, the newspaper said he was willing to provide "the materials needed to make explosives" for attacks in the kingdom.

Back in January, Saudi Arabia executed 47 prisoners, including Sheikh Nimr.

The cleric’s name was among a list of the 47 carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It cited the interior ministry for the information. Saudi state television also reported the executions.

Sheikh Nimr was detained in July 2012 on charges of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.

His arrest sparked widespread protests in the Arab country, leaving several people dead.

Nimr's Qatif-area hometown of Awamiya has been the scene of repeated security incidents since 2011.

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