The protest was held following the funeral of the teenager, Ahmad al-Marar, who was killed when Saudi forces opened fire on a group of demonstrators in the Qatif district of the province on December 27.
According to local reports, several protesters were arrested and some others were injured during the December 27 demonstration, which was held to demand the release of political prisoners in the country’s oil-rich Eastern Province.
Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah in Eastern Province, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, as well as an end to widespread discrimination.
However, the demonstrations have turned into protests against the repressive Al Saud regime, especially since November 2011, when Saudi security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province.
Amnesty International has called on Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against the protesters.
According to Human Rights Watch, the Saudi regime “routinely represses expression critical of the government.”
