The United States has warned that the execution of prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia could worsen sectarian tensions in the Middle East.
Sheikh Nimr’s execution sparked anger in Shia communities across the region, with protests in Saudi’s Eastern Province as well as in Iran, Bahrain among other countries.
The US State Department urged leaders throughout the region to redouble efforts to lower tensions.
In a statement, US state spokesman, John Kirby, appealed to Saudi Arabia’s government to respect and protect human rights, and to ensure fair and transparent judicial proceedings.
Mr Kirby also urged the Saudi government to permit peaceful expression of dissent along with other leaders in the region, to redouble efforts to reduce regional tensions.
Angry Iranian protesters stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and set fire to the building in response to the execution.
Sheikh Nimr was one of 47 people executed for terrorism offences.
He was a vocal supporter of mass protests in the Saudi-Arabia’s Shea-majority Eastern Province in 2011.
Saturday’s executions were carried out simultaneously in 12 locations across Saudi Arabia. Of the 47 executed, one was a Chadian national while another was Egyptian. The rest were Saudis.
The international rights group, Amnesty International, said that the 47 executions demonstrated the Saudi authorities’ “utter disregard for human rights and life” and called Sheikh Nimr’s trial “political and grossly unfair”.
