At a Glance: Sheikh Nimr Al-Nimr

Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, one of 47 people executed in Saudi Arabia Saturday, was a central figure in Shi'ite protests that erupted in 2011 as part of the Arab Spring. Al-Nimr had been regarded as the most vocal Shi'ite leader in the eastern Saudi province of Qatif. He publicly criticized the ruling al-Saud family, and called for pro-democracy demonstrations and elections. He was arrested in 2012. At his trial, al-Nimr did not deny the political charges against him, but said he...

© La Voix de l'Amérique - samedi 2 janvier 2016