Russia has expressed concern over the repression of popular protests in Saudi Arabia, calling on Riyadh to prevent a possible outbreak of sectarian conflict in the kingdom, Press TV reports.
Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry's Commissioner for Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, on Thursday cited reports of July 9 police attacks on peaceful demonstrators in Qatif, a Shia majority city in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province.
Two people were killed and scores were injured in the incident, Dolgov said, noting that among the injured was prominent Shia leader Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr, who was arrested by police.
"We hope that the authorities of the kingdom will take all the necessary measures to normalize the situation in its eastern regions of the kingdom,” he added.
The Russian diplomat also called on Saudi rulers to prevent any confrontation, including interfaith clashes, in the restive region and “guarantee the observance of generally accepted human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, peaceful demonstrations and freedom of assembly as permitted by the law."
Saudi Arabia has been the scene of anti-regime demonstrations on almost regular basis since February 2011, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province.
Saudi protesters are calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.
The demonstrations, however, turned into calls for the downfall of the Al Saud regime. The calls were further fueled by the November 2011 killing of peaceful protesters in the troubled region.
Anti-regime protests continue in the ultra-conservative monarchy, where any demonstrations or political gatherings are strongly prohibited and met with repressive force.
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