Saudi Shia cleric sentenced to death

Saudi Shia cleric sentenced to death
Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent preacher and leader of the 2011 demonstrations in Saudi's eastern al-Qatif province, had been on trial since March 2013.
1 min read
15 October, 2014
Al-Nimr's protests drew large crowds [Getty]

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr has been sentenced to death by a court in Saudi Arabia, his brother announced on Tuesday. The prominent Shia cleric led protests in 2012, and was charged with sedition, seeking foreign interference, disobeying the kingdom's rulers and taking up arms against security forces.

The verdict is likely to spark anger and new protests amongst the country’s Shia community, said analysts.