Saudi Arabia's biggest mass execution in 35 years

Saudi Arabia's biggest mass execution in 35 years
By Euronews with Reuters
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Leading Shia cleric and 46 others executed

  • Nimr al-Nimr arrested in 2012
  • Majority convicted of al-Qaeda attacks 2003-06
  • News “vigorously condemned” by regional rivals
  • Protests held in Riyadh, Bahrain
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News that a prominent Shi’ite Muslim cleric was among those killed in Saudi Arabia’s biggest mass execution for 35 years has met with a furious international reaction.

Most of the 47 executed were convicted of carrying out attacks on behalf of al Qaeda in Saudi Arabia more than a decade ago.

In a dangerous move, #SaudiArabia executed Shi'ite cleric Nimr al-Nimr/ Saudis are playing with Fire pic.twitter.com/fFluxsuada

— mehdi abbasi (@mehdiamoli1) January 2, 2016

#Saudi executions: Who were Nimr al-Nimr and Faris al-Shuwail? https://t.co/fl2GajLWt0pic.twitter.com/8Ir879p3oD

— Al Arabiya English (@AlArabiya_Eng) January 2, 2016

However four, including Nimr al-Nimr, were Shi’ite Muslims accused of shooting police officers during more recent anti-government protests.

#UPDATE: Saudi Arabia executed 47 people convicted of “terrorism”, including prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr https://t.co/45hB5xJYMF

— Agence France-Presse (@AFP) January 2, 2016

43 are described as Sunni jihadists. They include prominent al-Qaeda figures convicted of attacks on Western compounds, government buildings and diplomatic missions between 2003 and 2006.

The most severe form of punishment

The executions took place in 12 cities across Saudi Arabia. Firing squads were employed in four prisons, while the others were carried out via beheadings.

The bodies were then displayed in public places, the most severe form of punishment available under Sharia Islamic law.

Why were the executions carried out?

The 43 Sunni jihadists executed included several prominent al-Qaeda figures, some of whom were convicted of responsibility for attacks on Western compounds, government buildings and diplomatic missions between 2003-2006.

Source in Qatif tells MEE Iraq's Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani attempted to intervene for al-Nimr before execution https://t.co/NYmSEFP7Qn

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) January 2, 2016

The four Shi’ites, including al-Nimr, were convicted of shooting and petrol bomb attacks which killed several police officers during anti-government protests in the Qatif district of Riyadh between 2011-2013.

Thousands of militant Islamists were detained after the 2003-06 al-Qaeda attacks. Hundreds have been convicted.

Hundreds of members of the Shi’ite minority were detained after the 2011-13 protests.

This is the biggest mass execution for security reasons in Saudi Arabia since 1980, when 83 jihadist rebels were executed for taking over Mecca’s Grand Mosque in 1979.

Commentators say a secondary aim is about discouraging Saudi nationals from engaging in jihadism.

Bombings and shootings by Sunni militants over the past year have killed dozens in the country.

In addition, ISIL has called on followers in Saudi Arabia to stage attacks.

Reaction

Riyadh’s main regional rival Iran and its Shi’ite allies immediately reacted with vigorous condemnation.

A top Iranian cleric warned the kingdom’s Al Saud ruling family would be “wiped from the pages of history.”

Yemen’s Houthi group described Nimr as a “holy warrior”. Hezbollah in Lebanon said Riyadh had made “a grave mistake.”

#Saudi Armored Vehicles Heading To Restive #Qatif City After The Execution Of Prominent Cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr. pic.twitter.com/d5ZgW3gzYX

— Terrormonitor.org (@Terror_Monitor) January 2, 2016

Bahraini protesters tear-gassed in demonstrations against cleric's execution https://t.co/PnWfFbuHyb

— The Independent (@Independent) January 2, 2016

Tear gas fired in Bahrain at people protesting the Saudi execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr https://t.co/hkzDzuPHlDpic.twitter.com/jfqBl1A3pD

— ITV News (@itvnews) January 2, 2016

There have already been protests in Riyadh’s Shi’ite district of Qatif.

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However, al-Nimr’s brother says he hopes any response will be peaceful.

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