Police shoot at Saudi protesters, witness

Police shot at and wounded three protesters in Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Province on Thursday who were demonstrating for the release of prisoners. A witness said around 600-800 Shia-Muslim protesters took to the streets of Al-Qatif.

Reuters

The demonstration in the city centre was to demand the release of nine Shiite prisoners who they say are being held without a trial.

Witnesses said about 200 police officers were present, and shots were fired at protesters at the end of the procession.

The three wounded men were hospitalised with moderate injuries, according to a witness speaking to the AFP news agency.

Shiite cleric Sheikh Tawfiq al-Aamer was released Sunday after several hundred protesters demonstrated in Al-Qatif on Friday for his release, along with other detainees.