Tehran, Jan 2, IRNA -- Head of Iranian Judiciary Ayatollah Sadeq Amoli-Larijani on Saturday strongly condemned the execution of prominent Shia cleric Ayatollah Sheikh Nimr Baqr al-Nimr.


�The Saudi rulers tried to conceal their defeats in the region by committing this crime while they are unaware of the fact that the martyrdom of Sheikh Nimr will show the wickedness of Al Saud to the people of the world and it will be beginning to the collapse of the oppressed regime of Saudi Arabia,� Ayatollah Amoli-Larijani said in reaction to martyrdom of Sheikh Nimr.

The judiciary chief extended his condolences to the twelfth Shia Imam (AS), Iran�s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and the entire Muslim community and the freedom-seekers of the world on the sad occasion of the execution of Sheikh Nimr.

�The execution of this distinguished religious scholar by the Saudi government which has taken place with the aim of disrupting the unity of the Muslim world is very painful and sorrowful for the Muslim Ummah,� Ayatollah Amoli-Larijani said.

He reiterated that the role of the global arrogance in this crime is quite evident and clear because the dominant powers have always looked for an opportunity to disrupt the integrity of the Islamic Ummah in order to achieve their heinous goals.

Nimr was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region of Eastern Province in July 2012, and had been charged with undermining the kingdom�s security, making anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners. Nimr had denied the accusations.

In October 2014, a Saudi court sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death, provoking huge condemnations and criticism in the Middle East and the world.

On October 25, Nimr�s family confirmed that the Saudi Supreme Court and the Specialized Appeals Court had endorsed a death sentence issued last year against him for inciting sectarian strife and disobeying King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. The cleric had denied the charges.

By IRNA