Islamic Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announces execution of 47 including prominent Shia cleric as Saudi beheadings reach highest level in two decades-AP

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1/2/16, "Saudi Arabia executes 47, including Shiite cleric," AP, Dubai, UAE

"Saudi Arabia says it has executed 47 prisoners, including Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.
 
The cleric's name was among a list of the 47 carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It cited the Interior Ministry for the information. Saudi state television also reported the executions.

Al-Nimr was a central figure in Shiite protests that erupted in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring, and carrying out his execution may spark new unrest among the OPEC powerhouse's Shiite minority.

Saudi Arabia carried out at least 157 executions in 2015, with beheadings reaching their highest level in the kingdom in two decades, according to several advocacy groups that monitor the death penalty worldwide."
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1/2/16, "Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr: Saudi Arabia executes top Shia cleric," BBC

"Saudi Arabia has executed the prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, the interior ministry said.

He was among 47 put to death after being convicted of terrorism offences, it said in a statement. 

Sheikh Nimr was a vocal supporter of the mass anti-government protests that erupted in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province in 2011.

His arrest two years ago, during which he was shot, triggered days of unrest."




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