Executions in Saudi Arabia outrage in the Shiite world

The execution in Saudi Arabia of the Saudi Shia cleric Nimr Baqir al-Nimr Saturday sparked outrage in the Shiite world, including Iraq, Sunni state sponsors for their part Ryad measures.

Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, 56, outspoken critic of the Sunni dynasty Al Saud, was executed Saturday with 46 other people sentenced for "terrorism."

In Iraq, hundreds of people demonstrated in the Shiite holy city of Karbala, some leaders urging the government to close the embassy of Saudi Arabia recently reopened in Baghdad.

"More red line from now" or "We will have our revenge, and Saud Al-Khalifah," could be read on banners in reference to the royal families of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, Shiite-majority country ruled by a Sunni and neighbor of Saudi dynasty.

"That's what I told the Al-Saud from the sacred land of Hussein (emblematic figure of Shiism): I swear to God the blood of Sheikh (Nimr) did not sink for nothing," shouted one of protesters, Said Saad al-Moussaoui, adding, "We will shake the earth under your feet."

Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi expressed a "huge shock" and warned of the destabilizing potential of the execution of Nimr.

"Freedom of expression and the peaceful opposition are basic human rights guaranteed by international laws and divine. The rape has security implications, stability and social fabric of the region," he said in a statement.

Furthermore, Abdelsamad Khalaf, head of the parliamentary bloc of the Iraqi Shiite Dawa Party - the party of the prime minister - urged the government to "close the Saudi embassy in Iraq, expel the ambassador and run all Saudi terrorists imprisoned in Iraq" in retaliation.

"The execution of Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr will have serious consequences and will lead to the end of the reign of Al-Saud", warned Mr. Abdelsamad office.

- 'A hate crime' -

Also in Iraq, a leader of the Shiite paramilitary coalition "Hached al-Chaabi" (or Units popular mobilization), Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis, accused "Saudi leaders to support terrorism around the world by sending takfiris ( extremists), weapons and car bombs in Muslim countries. They executed today the most honest man in Saudi Arabia. "

Proponents of "takfir" ideology adopted by Al Qaeda, Islamic State group and other Sunni extremist organizations describe as infidels Muslims who do not share their beliefs.

Abu Mahdi al-Mohandis maintains close ties with Shiite Iran, which has warned Saudi Arabia, a Sunni power with significant Shiite minority, would pay a "heavy price" for this run.

The Lebanese Shiite Hezbollah for its part condemned "a hate crime (committed) on the basis of false allegations of corrupt laws and perverted logic that has nothing to do with justice," according to a statement the movement.

The group, faithful ally of Tehran, also accused the United States to wear "a direct and moral responsibility in the crime (...) ensuring the protection of the Saudi regime and covering its major crimes against his people and peoples of the region. "

For their part, Sunni states, including several Gulf monarchies, have expressed their support for Riyadh.

The Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al Nahyan, expressed "full support" of his country with the measures of Saudi Arabia "to deal with terrorism and extremism."

Bahrain, which itself undergoes a rebellion of the Shiite majority of its population, has meanwhile affirmed support Saudi Arabia on "all necessary measures to fight against violence and extremism."

Dozens of young Bahraini Shiites, however, protested against the execution of the Saudi Shiite religious leader in sporadic gatherings in the suburbs of Manama. Protesters clashed with police who used tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.

Saudi Arabia has executed more than 150 people in 2015.