Saudis cut ties with Iran Shiite execution

“We are opposed to the use of the death penalty in all circumstances”, he said. His death also strikes a sensitive chord for Saudi Shiites who claim they are discriminated against by authorities in the kingdom, where many ultraconservatives Sunnis view Shiites as heretics.

Riyadh, meanwhile, stuck to its position that al-Nimr had committed acts of terrorism.

Mr Ellwood said: ” We have discussed with the authorities in Riyadh, and expect that Ali Al-Nimr and others who were convicted as juveniles will not be executed.

“This oppressed cleric did not encourage people to join an armed movement, nor did he engage in secret plotting, and he only voiced public criticism… based on religious fervour”, said Khamenei, who criticised “the silence of the supposed backers of freedom, democracy and human rights” over the execution.

Saudi Arabia announced the execution of al-Nimr on Saturday along with 46 others. “The unjustly spilt blood of this martyr will have quick consequences”, he told clerics in Tehran. The group included many Al Qaeda-linked militants involved in deadly bombings in the kingdom since 2003.

In Lebanon, which also suffers from the Shia-Sunni divide, the Shiite militia Hezbollah called al-Nimr’s death sentence corrupt and said his execution amounted to assassination. He denied ever advocating violence.

The June 2004 shooting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, killed 36-year-old Irish cameraman Simon Cumbers. One of those put to death had allegedly been part of a team of gunmen who had shot BBC correspondent Frank Gardner on the streets of Riyadh, leaving him paralysed. The two countries have also had strained ties over Iran’s nuclear program, with Saudi Arabia denouncing the United States’ deal with Tehran earlier in 2015.

Iraqi Vice President Nuri al-Maliki castigated the Saudi royal family with the dead dissident’s own wishes.

Iran has offered “many Al Qaeda leaderships safe haven since 2001” in addition to “offering an Iranian passport” to a Saudi man accused of involvement in 1996 bombings in the kingdom who was arrested past year, the ministry said.

A group of protesters stormed the Saudi embassy building in Tehran, setting it on fire before law enforcement arrested several of the demonstrators.

Yet critics say the ruling family has not done enough to tackle the sectarian intolerance, hatred of infidels and praise for the principles of violent jihad propagated by Saudi clerics.

In the UAE, the Foreign Ministry summoned Iran’s ambassador, Mohammad Reza Fayyad, to protest at Iranian intervention in Saudi Arabia’s sovereign affairs and the attacks on the Saudi diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad.

Iran’s semi-official ISNA news agency quoted Tehran prosecutor Abbas Jafari Dowlatabadi announcing the arrests Sunday.

Mr. Dion said Canada is particularly concerned about the execution of outspoken Sheikh cleric Nimr al-Nimr, and whether it could inflame sectarian tensions in the region.

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei condemned Nimr’s execution, saying “God will not forgive” Saudi Arabia for putting him to death. Above all, the execution of Sheikh al-Nimr is being seen as a flagrant strike against basic human rights. Most Saudi Shiites live near some of the world’s largest oil fields in the eastern region, and according to the CIA World Factbook, make up between 10 percent and 15 percent of Saudi Arabia’s population.

The United States on Sunday urged Mideast leaders to take measures to soothe tensions in the region after Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric, provoking outrage from Iran.

A Saudi spokesperson has given Iranian officials 48 hours to leave the country.