MANAMA (Sputnik) – The execution of a prominent Shiite cleric by Saudi Arabia triggered on Saturday widespread protests among the Bahraini Shiites, who constitute a majority of the kingdom’s population, local media reported.
Earlier in the day, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr was put to death alongside 46 other convicts for alleged involvement in terrorist activities.
Local youth from the Shiite opposition groups took to the streets of the suburbs of Manama, denouncing the capital punishment administered by the Saudi authorities, according to the Arabic As-Safir daily.
The protesters marched toward security forces holding pictures of the Shiite preacher. Police were forced to use tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd.
