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Iran threatens 'divine vengeance' for Saudi executions

Iranian protesters have stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran and Shi'ite Muslim Iran's top leader has predicted 'divine vengeance' for Saudi Arabia's execution of a prominent Shi'ite cleric.

 Iranian demonstrators hold posters of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition Saudi Shiite cleric, during a protest denouncing his execution, in front of the Saudi Embassy, in Tehran, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. (AAP)

Iranian demonstrators hold posters of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent opposition Saudi Shiite cleric, during a protest denouncing his execution, in front of the Saudi Embassy, in Tehran, Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016. (AAP) Source: AAP

Iran's supreme leader has warned Saudi Arabia will face what he calls "divine revenge" for its execution of a prominent Shia cleric.

Tension is high across the Middle East after Saudi Arabia executed 47 people for terrorist offences, including the high-profile Shia cleric.

The sheikh was a prominent figure in protests in 2011, calling for political reform in the Sunni-ruled kingdom's Eastern Province.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has described Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr as a "martyr" who acted peacefully.

He says there will be what he called divine vengeance for the Saudi leaders responsible.

(Arabic, then translated:) "This is really a crime. It is a big crime. It is also a mistake, because his blood will catch up with Saudi Arabia, without any doubt. The politicians, executives and policy-makers of the Saudi government should have no doubt that his blood will catch up with them and it will give them hell. Almighty God will not ignore the blood of the innocent."    

Saudi Arabia says it's broken off diplomatic ties with Iran after demonstrators stormed the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

The Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir says all Iranian diplomats must leave Saudi Arabia within 48 hours.

Meanwhile, members of Australia's Shia communities have expressed outrage at Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr's execution.

The Saudi Interior Ministry has defended the execution, saying anyone who commits terrorist acts will have to face justice.

But Melbourne Sheikh and Islamic lecturer Ali Dirani told SBS Radio every Muslim - in Australia and around the world - will be touched by the execution.

"Every Muslim I think that's a practising Muslim and especially the Shia .. they felt the loss. And there is resentment on how the Saudi government didn't respect the many requests and many demonstrations globally - requesting to free Sheikh Nimr. He spoke against oppression and it's a humans right to be able to voice that out and it doesn't become an execution."  

 

 


2 min read

Published

Source: AAP, AFP, BBC



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