Two killed during protest in eastern Saudi Arabia

Riyadh : Saudi Arabia | Jul 09, 2012 at 9:19 AM PDT

By northsunm32

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Saudi Ayatollah Nimr Al-Nimr Dares Saudi Regime to Attack Iran

Protests after the arrest of a prominent Shia activist and cleric Sheik Nimr al-Nimr resulted in two protesters being killed. The protests were in the town of Awamiya in eastern Saudi Arabia. There have been demonstrations in the city Qatif as well.
The official Saudi press agency said that Nimr was arrested after he and supporters fought with security forces and crashed into a police car. Nimr was shot in the thigh. He will be charged with creating unrest in the area.
Nimr was wanted by authorities. Back in 2009 he suggested that the area should separate from Saudi Arabia unless the government freed political prisoners, treated the Shia minority fairly, and fought corruption. Shia cannot obtain high ranks in the government or security forces. The minority numbers about 2 million. For more see this article. The area where the protests are taking place is rich in oil facilities.

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A protester holds up a picture of Sheikh Nimr during a rally in Qatif, against Sheikh Nimr's arrest

northsunm32 is based in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, and is an Anchor for Allvoices.

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Images

A protester holds up a picture ...

A protester holds up a picture ...

Image Source: www.reuters.com

A protester holds up a picture of Sheikh Nimr during a rally in Qatif, ...
Army soldiers and riot police ...

Army soldiers and riot police ...

Image Source: www.reuters.com

Army soldiers and riot police stand in line as they block off a road ...