Saudi court approves death sentence for activist
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This undated family picture released on social media allegedly shows Yusof al-Mosheykhas, a Saudi activist sentenced to death by the regime in Riyadh, with his two children.
Saudi Arabia’s Court of Cassation endorsed Saturday a death sentence handed down to an activist from the Shia community, four months after the execution of a respected cleric by Riyadh sparked international outrage.
The court approved the sentence handed down to Yusof al-Mosheykhas, a citizen of the Shia-dominated city of Awwamiyah in the eastern region of Qatif, Naba’ TV reported.
According to the report, Mosheykhas was arrested two years ago after he attended several anti-government protests in his hometown. He was convicted of attempted terrorist act in an initial trial and was incarcerated in January 2014.
Rights campaigners expressed concern about the imminent execution of Mosheykhas, saying the activist could be put to death in an unknown location without prior notice. That has been the case for other Saudis and foreigners convicted of involvement in terror activities.
Back in January, Saudi Arabia executed 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.
ME
