Saturday, July 21, 2012

Saudi Arabia hit by sectarian violence as two killed...

Saudi Arabia's Shia east has been thrown into turmoil after two people were killed when police opened fire on demonstrators protesting the shooting and arrest of a popular anti-regime cleric.

The detention of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr triggered the worst unrest in the kingdom's Eastern Province for months, prompting fears that the long-marginalised region could erupt in open revolt.

Hundreds of men marched through the centre of the city of Qatif, chanting "Down, Down with the House of Saud" and "Death to al-Saud", a rare direct challenge to the kingdom's royal family.

Amateur video footage showed live gunshots being fired at apparently peaceful demonstrators. But even as some protesters rushed forward to help one wounded man, others resumed their chanting with even greater fervour.

 Shots were also fired during a second protest in the nearby village of Awamiya, where Sheikh Nimr was reportedly shot in the thigh as he was arrested. Full story...

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