Saudi security forces kill protester in Eastern province

Esam Mohamed Abu Abdellah, 22, has been shot dead by Saudi forces in the town of Awamiyah in the Saudi's Eastern Province.

Shiite protesters came out in several towns and villages in the Eastern Province, calling for the ouster of the provincial governor then Saudi forces stormed the town and opened fire on protesters. Several Shiite demonstrators were also injured, the Shiite website www.rasid.com said.

According to other sources and eyewitnesses said that the victim was part of a group of youngsters throw stones on security vehicles in the town of Awamiya.

The sources added that the wounded were "Mohammed Saeed, Mursi Ribh and Abdullah Alsoiml whose car was hit by a burst of bullets when he crossed a checkpoint at the entrance to the town."

The spokesman of the Saudi Ministry of Interior on Friday said that during a routine security patrol in the town of Awamiya in Qatif province (eastern Saudi Arabia) last night, the vehicle was attacked by a Molotov cocktail, which led to a fire.

Spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki said that while the security men tried to control the flames shot were fired towards them. Following the exchange of fire two attackers were hurt. They were taken to hospital where one of them died later.

However, the demonstrations were held in the eastern towns including Awamiya, demanding the "release of political prisoners, the implementation of political reforms and ending sectarian discrimination" (against the Shiites).

Qatif city witnessed violent events during November 2011 when five Shiite protesters were killed as well. The Saudi Interior Ministry earlier this year ordered the arrest of 23 Shiite in Eastern Province held responsible for unrest. Saudi Arabia accused the 23 of serving the agenda of a foreign power, usually a reference to Iran and Bahraini Shiite.

But according to Alshaq Alawsat newspaper, the 23 Shiite are accused of killing policemen, planning the assassination of a top Saudi figure and making religious edicts against Saudi Arabia's rulers.

The oil rich eastern region of Saudi Arabia houses the Shiites, who make up about 10 percent of Saudi Arabia's population of 19 million. It witnessed limited demonstrations since the outbreak of the "Arab Spring."

In December 2011, Human Rights Watch has called on Saudi Arabia to release 60 people, including women of political prisoners in the country who have been detained during anti-government protests last November, Press TV reported.