TEHRAN (FNA)- Iranian Sunni clerics in a letter to the UN and other international organizations called for heightened efforts to free prominent Shia cleric Nimr Baqr al-Nimr who has received a death sentence from a Saudi court.

"We, a group of Sunni clerics in Iran, on behalf of the Clergymen and the Sunni community in Iran, condemn this inhumane verdict which is issued in contrary to international and judicial practices and demand its immediate abolition and the unconditional release of this religious cleric," the letter said on Thursday.

In addition to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, copies of the letter have been sent to UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, President of the Human Rights Council Joachim R�cker, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein and Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Iyad Ameen Madani.

The Sunni clerics also asked the Iranian foreign ministry to make every diplomatic effort to ensure Sheikh Nimr's freedom.

The full text of the letter is as follows:

"In the name of God the Compassionate the Merciful

To: Ban Ki-moon

The Honorable Secretary General of the United Nations
With Regards,

As your highness is aware, it has been more than three years since the unjustified arrest of the leading Saudi religious cleric, Nimr Bakir al-Nimr, and this injustice has reached its peak after issuing and confirming his death sentence by the Saudi Interior Ministry.

This unjustified verdict has been issued in Saudi intelligence chambers but not in courts and judiciary systems and seeks to put an end to objections and demands of the people regarding the minorities and women�s rights. Continuing these practices and execution of this cruel verdict will further inflame protests against the Saudi regime and will offend over a billion and a half Muslims.

We, a group of Sunni clerics in Iran, on behalf of the Clergymen and the Sunni community in Iran, condemn this inhumane verdict which is issued in contrary to international and judicial practices and demand its immediate abolition and the unconditional release of this religious cleric.

It is expected that your highness and the organization under your management take necessary steps by opposition and condemnation of this verdict to release this leading religious cleric.

By Fars News Agency