Saudi Arabia executes 47, including Shiite cleric

A prominent cleric with close links to Iran’s ruling establishment denounced the execution on Saturday of a Saudi Shi’ite cleric and predicted the repercussions would bring down the Saudi ruling family.

The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), quoting an interior ministry statement, said the 47 include 45 Saudis, one Egyptian and one Chadian.

According to AFP tallies, Saudi has executed 153 locals and foreigners this year, against 87 for all of 2014. Those attacks killed dozens, increasing pressure on Riyadh to show it was taking strong action.

They were given a death sentence for alleged involvement in a string of terror attacks which al-Qaeda had claimed responsibility for that took place between 2003 and 2006.

However, it also detained hundreds of members of its Shi’ite minority after protests from 2011-13, during which several policemen were killed in shooting and petrol bomb attacks.

“The execution of Sheikh Nimr was an execution of reason, moderation and dialogue”, the council’s Vice President Sheikh Abdel Amir Qabalan said in a statement.

Activists in the Shia district of Qatif have warned of possible protests in response to the executions.

“We hope that any reactions would be confined to a peaceful framework”. Saudi state television also reported the executions.

Shiite Muslims make up a small minority in Saudi Arabia.