RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — The latest developments following Saudi Arabia’s execution of 47 people, including a prominent opposition Shiite cleric who had rallied demonstrations in the kingdom (All times local).
2:25 p.m.
Saudi Arabia’s top cleric has defended the execution of 47 people, calling it a “mercy to the prisoners” because it would save them from committing more evil acts and prevent chaos.
Grand Mufti Sheikh Abdulaziz Al Sheikh said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency that the executions announced Saturday were in line with Islamic law and the need to safeguard the kingdom’s security.
Islamic scholars around the world hold vastly different views on the application of the death penalty in Shariah law, with Saudi judges adhering to one of the strictest interpretations.
The 47 who were executed included an al-Qaida ideologue as well as Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition Shiite cleric who had rallied anti-government protests before his arrest in 2012.
2:15 p.m.
The brother of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition leader who was among 47 people executed by Saudi Arabia, says he is shocked by the move.
Mohammed al-Nimr told The Associated Press by phone Saturday that the executions came as a “big shock” because “we thought the authorities could adopt a political approach to settle matters without bloodshed.”
He says the family has not yet been asked to pick up the body but that a funeral would be held as soon as possible.
The execution of al-Nimr was expected to escalate tensions in eastern Saudi Arabia, where the Shiite minority is concentrated, and Bahrain, which has seen years of simmering unrest between its Shiite majority and Saudi-allied Sunni monarchy.
Mohammed al-Nimr said “there will be reactions” but urged people to “adopt peaceful means when expressing their anger.”
2 p.m.
Iran has strongly condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition Shiite cleric.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari said Saturday that the execution of al-Nimr, “who had no means other than speech to pursue his political and religious objectives, only shows the depth of imprudence and irresponsibility.” His statement was carried by state-run Press TV.
Saudi Arabia announced the execution of 47 prisoners on Saturday, including al-Qaida militants convicted of deadly attacks and at least four Shiite dissidents.
Al-Nimr, arrested in 2012, was a central figure in demonstrations by the kingdom’s Shiite minority calling for greater rights.
Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shiite Iran are regional rivals, and support opposite sides in the wars in Syria and Yemen.
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