“The unjustly spilled blood of this oppressed martyr will no doubt soon show its effect and divine vengeance will befall Saudi politicians.”
That rather ominous quote is from Ayatollah Khamenei who was decidedly upset with Saudi Arabia’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.
The Sheikh – who died along with three other Shiites and dozens of suspected al-Qaeda operatives in the largest mass execution carried out by Riyadh in 25 years – was a leading voice in Saudi Arabia’s anti-government movement. He stood accused of sedition, disobedience and bearing arms for his role in the protests which shook the kingdom’s Eastern Province during the Arab Spring.
News of al-Nimr’s death spread through the Muslim world like wildfire on Saturday as protests broke out from Bahrain to Pakistan.
Here’s the sequence of events courtesy of The Guardian:
- Saudi Arabia announced it had executed 47 people for terrorism, including the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
- Iranian government and religious leaders say killing of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr will have serious repercussions.
- The Shia cleric’s brother calls for calm.
- Protests in Bahrain turn violent and tear gas is used on those demonstrating.
- Protests break out in Shia areas of Saudi Arabia, Indian-controlled Kashmir and Pakistan while a prominent Iraqi cleric calls for demonstrations in Gulf countries.
- Reprieve, Human Rights Watch and various other campaign groups condemn the executions.
- Fresh concerns are raised for Nimr’s nephew, Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, despite his name not appearing on the executed list.
Continue reading ““Divine Vengeance Will Befall Saudi Arabia,” Iran Warns, As Global Outcry Over Execution Grows”
