Death of Protesters Sparks Fresh Anti-Regime Protests in Saudi Arabia

Cities and villages in the Eastern parts of the Saudi Arabia are witnessing a new round of anti-regime protests after Saudi security forces killed a number of protesters in the past few days.

Protesters held demonstrations in the Eastern Province, mainly in the Qatif region and the town of Awamiyah and Rubaieiyah, calling for punishment of those involved in the killing of the protesting people.

Protesters also called for the freedom of all political prisoners.

The new protests came after a Saudi teenager, Hassan Mohammad Zaheri, died of injures three days after he was shot by regime forces in the town of Awamiyah.

The boy was injured during a protest rally in Awamiyah on Wednesday.

Saudi forces also killed two men, Khaled al-Labbad and Mohammad Habib al-Manasef in Eastern Province’s Qatif city the same day.

The latest death brings to 15 the number of anti-regime protesters killed since last year.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in the Kingdom’s east, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah, calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the oil-rich region.

Saudi forces have also arrested more than 700 people including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr.