Riot police cracked down on a demonstration in the eastern Saudi Arabia town of Qatif. The protests were sparked after police had earlier engaged in a shootout and a car chase with a popular cleric who has been reportedly arrested with a gunshot wound. The protesters were allegedly calling for the fall of the ruling Saudi monarchy.
Sheikh Nimr Baqir Al-Nimr and his followers exchanged fire with police and got into an accident with a police car, the official Saudi Press Agency reports Al-Nimr was shot in the thigh, the agency says, and was arrested on charges of instigating unrest in the Eastern Province famous for its oil reserves.
Sheikh Nimr's brother insists the cleric was just returning from his farm in Qatif.
Saudi princess Sara seeking UK asylum
The niece of Saudi Arabia ruler, Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Sara bint Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud has sought political asylum in United Kingdom as she fears for her safety in her home in Saudi Arabia.
The princess claims that she is being persecuted by the members of her own family and her image is being blemished with claims that she has sided with Saudi Arabia's political opponent.
The 38-year-old also said that she was assaulted and threatened, and that there have been abduction attempts made against her children, all for political reasons.
