Protests were held across the streets in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province demanding the release of senior Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr

Protests were held across the streets in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province demanding the release of senior Muslim cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

The protesters defied a protest ban imposed by the Al Saud regime and demonstrated in the eastern city of Qatif on Thursday to voice their solidarity with the jailed cleric and demand his release.

On March 28, a Saudi prosecutor reportedly demanded the death penalty for Sheikh al-Nimr, accusing him of “aiding terrorists” and “instigating unrest” in the kingdom.

Sheikh Nimr was attacked, injured and arrested by Saudi security forces en route to his house in Qatif on July 8, 2012.

The cleric had called for the release of all those detained in protests against the Saudi regime, and all the prisoners of conscience. His arrest sparked protests in Eastern Province.

According to Saudi activists, most of the detained political activists are being held by the regime without trial or charges.