Saudis hold anti-regime demo in Qassim

Protesters in Saudi Arabia have once again held a demonstration against the Al Saud regime in Qassim Province, Press TV reports.

On Sunday, the demonstrators chanted anti-regime slogans in the city of Buraidah, located about 330 kilometers (205 miles) north of the capital, Riyadh. They also called for the immediate release of political prisoners.

The protesters demanded the release of a group of women who were arrested more than a week ago while holding a sit-in outside the central prison in Buraidah against the detention of their relatives.

Some 170 people were taken into custody in the incident. Saudi authorities, however, claim to have already freed some 100 of the detainees.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in the Qatif region and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

However, the demonstrations turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially after November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.

Saudi regime forces have also arrested dozens of people including prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi authorities warned in October 2012 that they would deal ‘firmly’ with anti-regime demonstrations. Amnesty International slammed the warning and urged the authorities to “withdraw their threat.”