Saudis, Bahrainis protest killing of activist

Saudi protesters on Saturday staged a rally in the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province to protest the murder of pro-democracy activist Bassem Ali al-Qadehi.
 
Al-Qadehi died of the wounds sustained while police were trying to arrest him.
 
Carrying the photos of al-Qadehi, the Saudi protesters also chanted anti-regime slogans.
 
In Bahrain, people also held rallies against the killing of the young activist. Protesters in the eastern town of Sanad condemned the Saudi crackdown on anti-government demonstrations in Qatif.
 
Elsewhere, in Bahrain’s Sitra Island, there was a demonstration in solidarity with pro-democracy protesters in Saudi Arabia. Bahraini security forces used tear gas to disperse the protesters.
 
The Persian Gulf monarchy has come under fire from international human rights organizations, which have criticized it for failing to address the rights situation in the kingdom. Critics say the country shows zero-tolerance toward dissent.
 
Human rights bodies also say Riyadh has persistently implemented repressive policies that stifle freedom of expression, association and assembly.
 
Riyadh has cracked down on dissidents, anti-government protesters and political activists in the past few years. A number of people have been killed as a result, and many others arrested.