Saudi Arabia has sentenced 14 people to death over their participation in 2011 pro-democracy protests in Shia-populated region of Qatif in Eastern Province.
Al-Arabiya TV reported the ruling, saying the 14 people were " convicted of attacks on police."
Nine others were handed long-term jail sentences, Reuters news agency quoted their defense lawyer as saying on condition of anonymity.
The lawyer said that the jail terms were 15 years, noting that one person was acquitted.
He added that 24 defendants had been held for about three years and accused of allegedly carrying weapons and shooting at police.
Riyadh triggered a diplomatic crisis and international outcry after executing prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr along with 46 others in January in defiance of international calls for their release.
Those executed were convicted of attacks on police during protests in Qatif which is known for pro-democracy demonstrations by Shia Muslims and a heavy-handed crackdown by authorities.
Around 20 Shia Muslims and several police officers were killed during 2011-14 protests.
Faced with a heavy-handed government crackdown, Shias in Qatif and other areas have also been targeted by Daesh attacks since 2014 in which dozens have lost their lives.
Saudi Shias complain they suffer systematic discrimination in the kingdom, whose majority follow Wahhabism and is regarded as the breeding ground for the rise of Takfiri groups such as Daesh and al-Qaeda.
Riyadh triggered a diplomatic crisis and international outcry after executing prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr along with 46 others in January in defiance of international calls for their release.
International human rights groups have criticized Saudi Arabia's justice system which they say holds unfair trials.
Convictions for terrorism sometimes extend to peaceful protesters and are secured by torture, according to rights advocacy groups.
In mid-May, Human Rights Watch said Saudi Arabia’s trial of 32 men for allegedly spying on behalf of Iran is a “mockery of justice” because it “has violated the basic due process rights of the defendants.”
According to Human Rights Watch, Saudi authorities have not permitted the defendants to meet with lawyers or provided all of the court documents necessary to prepare a defense after more than three years of detention and investigation.
source : abna24
