Anti-regime protesters call for prisoners release in Saudi Arabia

Saudi protesters have staged fresh demonstrations against the Al Saud regime, calling for the release of political prisoners. Anti-regime protesters took to the streets in the capital Riyadh and the central province of al-Qassim on Tuesday night to voice their solidarity with a similar protest rally held earlier. On Monday, female demonstrators held a protest in Buraidah, the capital city of al-Qassim Province, to show their outrage at the Saudi regime’s illegal detention of dissidents. They also burned the picture of Saudi Interior Minister Mohammad bin Nayef during the protest. Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and the town of Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination. However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province. Amnesty International has called on Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against the protesters.