In January it executed 47 people, including four Shiites convicted of "attacks on police" during protests in Qatif.

Sheikh Nimr was one of the executed victims.

Ayatullah Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, commonly referred to as Sheikh Nimr, was a Shia Sheikh in al-Awamiyah in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province whose arrest and execution created strong protest among political activist across the world and made tension between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

He was very popular among youth and other people and critical of the Saudi Arabian government calling for free elections in Saudi Arabia and removing discrimination. He was arrested and tortured by Saudi authorities in 2006.

In 2009, he criticized Saudi authorities and call for Shia citizens’ rights.

Saudi Arabia Charged 14 Shia Citizens with Terrorism and Sentenced to Death

On October 2014, Saudi Arabia's Supreme Court approved death sentence of Nimr for "disobeying the ruler, inciting sectarian strife, and encouraging, leading and participating in demonstrations".

According to sources main charge was criticism against Saudi's officials.On 2 January 2016, Saudi Arabia government executed 47 prisoners and declared that Nimr had been among them.

Protests were held in various countries such as Iran, Iraq, Bahrain, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, England, Turkey, Australia, and United States following the execution.

People in the Qatif region of Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province have taken to the streets with protesters marching from Nimr's hometown of al-Awamiyah to Qatif, chanting: "Down with the Al Saud".

Also, many religious and political figures declared their opinions and reactions about execution of Sheikh Nimr.

Several attacks by Islamic State group since 2014 have targeted Shiites in Qatif and other areas.

12