[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

Oct. 25



SAUDI ARABIA:

Saudi Supreme Court approves Sheikh Nimr death penalty


Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court has approved the death penalty for prominent Shia 
cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, his brother says.

Mohammad al-Nimr, the prominent cleric's brother, said in a message on social 
media on Sunday that the Saudi Supreme Court and an appellate court had 
approved the execution of the Shia cleric and authorized the Saudi Interior 
Ministry to carry out the sentence.

The execution warrant has been reportedly sent to Muhammad bin Naif bin 
Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Saudi crown prince, who is also the first deputy prime 
minister and the minister of interior of Saudi Arabia.

The warrant will now be sent to Saudi Arabia's ruler Salman bin Abdulaziz Al 
Saud after the approval of the Interior Ministry.

To get implemented, the warrant must be approved by the Saudi king.

The execution of the Shia cleric can be carried out by the Interior Ministry 
without any prior warning if the Saudi king signs the order.

Nimr was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region, east of Saudi Arabia, in 
July 2012, and has been charged with undermining the kingdom's security, making 
anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners. Nimr has denied 
the accusations.

In October 2014, a Saudi court sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death, provoking huge 
condemnations and criticism in the Middle East and the world.

There have been numerous demonstrations in Saudi Arabia's oil-rich Eastern 
Province since 2011, with the protestors calling for political reform and an 
end to what they call widespread discrimination. Several people have been 
killed and many others have been injured or arrested during the demonstrations.

International rights bodies, including Amnesty International, have criticized 
Saudi Arabia for its grim human rights record, arguing that widespread 
violations continue unabated in the oil-rich country even though a new ruler, 
King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, has taken the helm of the absolute monarchy.

(source: PressTV)