A Saudi court has issued a death sentence for a youth who took part in a pro-democracy protest which took place in 2011.

A Saudi court has issued a death sentence for a youth who took part in a pro-democracy protest which took place in 2011.

Abdulkarim al-Hawaj was sentenced to death because he called for reform during 2011 protests in Qatif, Saudi media reported.

The number of death sentences issued against Qatif residents reached 30, including those who were arrested while they minors.

Earlier in January, the Saudi regime executed four Qatif residents, including Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a highly respected Shia cleric and an outspoken critic of Riyadh from Qatif, only to trigger massive condemnations around the world.

Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province, an oil-rich region which includes Qatif and Awwamiyah, was the scene of clashes between people and police since an uprising began there in early 2011.