Saudi Arabia Executes Four Over Participation in Riots, Attacks on Police

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, July 12: The Saudi Arabia government on Wednesday executed four people belonging to Shia section of Islam on the charges of “terrorist crimes” including participating in the riots and attacking the police in the Shiite district of Qatif. According to a statement by Al-Ekhbariyah state news channel, the convicts named by the interior ministry are Zaher al-Basri, Yusof al-Meshikhes, Mahdi al-Sayyegh and Amjad al-Emeibid.
The four have been convicted on the charges of “disobeying the ruler” and attempting to “sow sedition” in the Sunni-dominated kingdom, as per the statement. The statement also said that the charges also include opening fire at the police centres in Shiite villages in Qatif, in Eastern Province and of participating in riots, hurling petrol bombs at security forces and government installations in the district.
On Thursday, a police corporal was killed in a bomb attack in Qatif and in the same area, two police officers were injured after a patrolling team was attacked on Saturday. Last month, three police officers were also killed in a bombing in Qatif. Unrest has gripped Qatif since 2011 after Shiites started demanding equality in the Gulf Kingdom.
The execution of four people has come amid the growing attacks on police in Qatif. Qatif is home to the Shiite minority who have always complained of marginalization.