More than 50 men are set to be beheaded over the next few days in Saudi Arabia. According to Arabic newspaper Okaz, 55 men are facing execution after being convicted of ‘terrorism’ offences although this is thought to include Shi’a protesters who took part in anti-government demonstrations.
Three of the condemned men are juveniles, including Ali al Nimr whose case sparked an international outcry earlier this year. He was 17 when he was arrested and sentenced to crucifixion.
Baqer al Nimr,
Ali’s brother, told the Independent: ‘Ali is a smart kid, he likes to play football, he is a photographer. He wasn’t political, he was just fighting for his rights, for the rights of the Shi’a.’
Ali’s uncle Sheikh Nimr al Nimr, a prominent Shi’a cleric who was arrested during a shootout with security forces in 2012, is also among those believed to be facing execution.
