This is an entry from: LIVE BLOG: The Middle East as it happens
Protests in Saudi after Shiite death sentences: activist
24 October 2014 17:03 BST
More than 100 people protested in eastern Saudi Arabia on Friday to oppose death sentences against Shiite religious leader Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr and seven others convicted after earlier demonstrations, an activist said.
Following Friday prayers they marched in the community of Awamiya to oppose "all harsh sentences and the death penalty against eight people," the activist told AFP.
On Tuesday a Saudi court sentenced to death two people "as a deterrent to others" in connection with protests by members of the minority Shiite community that began three years ago.
They were tried on charges including "participating in marches and rallies that caused riots" in Awamiya, the official Saudi Press Agency reported without identifying the accused.
The activist said those sentenced to death were teenagers at the time of their arrest, and are among a total of eight who have received the death sentence.