Arab Spring Cleric Nimr al-Nimr Among 47 Executed by Saudi Arabia
NBC news
Saudi Arabia said Saturday it has executed 47 prisoners, including reformist Shiite cleric and activist Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr
Al-Nimr was a central figure in Shiite protests that erupted in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring, and carrying out his execution may spark new unrest among the OPEC powerhouse's Shiite minority
The cleric's name was among a list of the 47 carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency. It cited the Interior Ministry for the information. Saudi state television also reported the executions
Saudi Arabia carried out at least 157 executions in 2015, with beheadings reaching their highest level in the kingdom in two decades, according to several advocacy groups that monitor the death penalty worldwide
His 17-year-old nephew was sentenced to crucifixion earlier this year but was not among those put to death this time
Maya Foa, a spokeswoman for rights group Reprieve, said 4 of the 47 executed were political prisoners.
