Don’t send troops to Bahrain, immediately release political prisoners and stop sectarian discrimination.
 Anti-government protesters in Qatif hold a sign in Arabic reading, "Freedom for prisoners and loyalty to the nation." |
The protesters, mainly Shias, also called for the immediate release of what they called forgotten political prisoners. Protesters say the prisoners are being held unjustly and without trial, some as long as 16 years.
Protest rallies were held in two villages close to the main Shia city of Qatif shortly after the Friday Prayers.
Demonstrators called as well for political freedoms and an end to sectarian discrimination against the Shia community by the Sunni monarchy.
Saudi Arabia's Shia Muslims, who are considered a minority, complain about government discrimination, saying they are treated as second class citizens and that they often struggle to get the government jobs and benefits available to other citizens.
The government of Saudi Arabia denies such charges.
On Wednesday, a Saudi-based human rights group said that authorities have arrested one hundred protesters for taking part or organizing anti-government demonstrations.
Human Rights First Society (HRFS) also revealed that some of the Shia detainees were subject to torture both physically and mentally.
Saudi Arabia's Interior Ministry spokesman Mansour al-Turki refused to comment on the report.
"Anybody who committed a violent act that is criminalized by law in Saudi Arabia will be arrested and anybody proved to be involved in calling for demonstrations will be arrested and sent to the court of law," Turki told Reuters.
In Saudi Arabia, protest rallies and any public displays of dissent are forbidden and are considered illegal. Senior Wahhabi clerics in the kingdom have also censured opposition demonstrations as "un-Islamic."
