Iran condemns Saudi execution of Shiite cleric

Saudi Arabia executed 47 people on Saturday, including a prominent Shiite cleric behind anti-government protests and Sunnis convicted of involvement in deadly Al Qaeda attacks, the government said.

The Interior Ministry announced the names of the 47 people executed in a statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency.

In November 2015, Amnesty International said “at least 151 people have been put to death in Saudi Arabia so far this year -the highest recorded figure since 1995 – in an unprecedented wave of executions marking a grim new milestone in the Saudi Arabian authorities’ use of the death penalty”.

“Even as the rulers of Saudi Arabia are supporting terror in the entire world by sending takfiris, weapons and vehicle bombs to Muslim countries, today they executed the most honest man in Saudi Arabia”, he said in a statement.

Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shi’ite Council called the execution of cleric Nimr al-Nimr a “grave mistake”, and the Hezbollah group termed it an assassination.

Iran has strongly condemned Saudi Arabia’s execution of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition Shiite cleric.

All of the executed were Saudis, except for an Egyptian and citizen of Chad.

Meanwhile, strong protest reportedly broke out in Bahrain after Saudi Arabia announced the execution of top Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Iran had earlier warned Saudi Arabia on several occasions not to go ahead with the death sentence, first handed down by a court in October 2014.

Nimr had always been regarded as the most vocal Shiite leader in Qatif, willing to publicly criticize the Al Saud ruling family and call directly for elections.

His comments follow a warning previous year from Iran that the execution of al-Nimr would “cost Saudi Arabia dearly”, while the sentiment was echoed by a spokesman for Iran’s foreign ministry, Hossein Jaber Ansari, following al-Nimr’s death.

Human rights organizations have lashed out at Saudi Arabia for failing to address the rights situation in the kingdom.

At his trial, he was asked if he disapproved of the Al Saud ruling family after speeches in which he spoke out forcefully against former Interior Minister and late Crown Prince Nayef bin Abdelaziz.

The wave of condemnation could harm Saudi Arabia’s efforts to form an Islamic alliance against the jihadist militants of Islamic State.

His brother, Mohammed al Nimr, told Reuters: “Sheikh Nimr enjoyed high esteem in his community and within Muslim society in general and no doubt there will be reaction”.