Shi'a protester killed by security forces in Saudi Arabia, activists say

Shi'a protester killed by security forces in Saudi Arabia, activists say

2012-01-15 00:34:33 GMT+7 (ICT)

RIYADH (BNO NEWS) -- At least one person was killed and three others were injured when clashes erupted between security forces and Shia protesters in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on Thursday, activists said on late Friday.

According to reports, 22-year-old Issam Muhammad Ali Abu Abdullah was shot dead and three others were wounded during a protest on Thursday evening in the town of Awwamiya. The Ministry of Interior said the protester was killed during an exchange of gunfire between security forces and individuals who had attacked them with Molotov cocktails.

Sources in the area told Amnesty International that Issam Mohammad Ali Abu Abdullah was killed by multiple bullets which were fired by security forces. Protesters were calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to discrimination against the Shi'a minority in the Kingdom.

"This is the latest of several disturbing protester deaths in Saudi Arabia in the last couple of months," said Philip Luther, Amnesty International's interim Director for the Middle East and North Africa.

"The need to immediately launch an independent investigation into the death of Issam Abu Abdullah is underlined by the fact that investigations that were announced into previous protester deaths in similar incidents do not appear to have gone anywhere," he added.

In November 2011, four members of the Shi'a minority were killed by security forces in three separate incidents in the al-Qatif region, three of them during protests. Sources told Amnesty International that riot police opened fire on the protesters, while the Saudi Ministry of Interior said security forces had come under fire from "aggressors."

Since February 2011, when sporadic demonstrations began amid uprisings in other countries, the Saudi Arabian government has been cracking down on protesters, mostly Shi'a Muslims in the restive Eastern Province. More than 300 people have been detained.

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