Tehran, Jan 3, IRNA � Head of the Strategic Research Center of the Expediency Council Ali-Akbar Velayati said on Sunday that execution of Saudi religious leader Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr by the Saudi government is violation of international law.

Velayati made the remarks in a meeting with a group of Yemeni Ulema.

He said that death of al-Nimr indicates unhappiness of Saudi Government with its failures in the region and Yemen.

'Execution of Sheikh Ayatollah al-Nimr is an outright violation of religious rights of the Shia community.'

Velayati said that the Saudi government executed the religious leader for His Eminency's criticism of the Saudi leaders for the prevalent injustice against the Saudi nation.

Velayati expressed deep concern about deterioration of humanitarian crisis in Yemen due to Saudi government's unlawful and indiscriminate bombardment of the civilian targets in Yemen, a wanton aggression on national sovereignty of Yemen at the request of a fugitive government.

'Where on earth a prominent leader is executed only because of criticism of the government?' questioned Velayati.

He said the people and government of Iran are concerned with destiny of the people of Yemen.

'We praise the resistance of the people of Yemen and the resistance to aggression by the of Saudi kingdom which suppresses the Yemeni nation at the behest of the US and Zionists?'

Saudis imagined that by indiscriminate bombardment, they will make people of Yemen surrender in a short period of time, but despite lapse of about nine months wanton aggression on Yemeni national sovereignty, the Yemeni nation proved that they are qualified to be called champion of the Arab and Muslim World nations.

'Since long ago, the traces of the defeat of Saudis in the camp were evident and I am confident that they will be defeated in their military campaign against Yemen.'

Velayati acknowledged Iranian support for the people of Yemen.

By IRNA