Saudi protesters condemn violent crackdown in al-Awamiyah

Saudi activists have staged a demonstration to voice their anger at the Al Saud regime’s violent crackdown on peaceful protesters in the kingdom’s Eastern Province.

Demonstrators took to the streets on Thursday in a rally organized by the Saudi Liberal Youth Movement against the brutal acts of the security forces in al-Awamiyah village.

The protesters chanted slogans against the Saudi regime and condemned its clamp-down on political activists. They also demanded the right to hold protests and have freedom of expression.

The latest street rally comes after Saudi security forces shot and arrested two anti-government activists in al-Awamiyah on Monday.

There have been numerous demonstrations in the oil-rich Eastern Province since February 2011, with protestors calling for political reform and an end to widespread discrimination.

Anti-government protests have intensified since November 2011, when security forces opened fire on protestors in Qatif, killing five people and leaving scores more injured.

Activists say there are over 40,000 political prisoners in Saudi Arabia, many of them being held without trial or charges.

In October 2012, Amnesty International called on Saudi authorities to stop using excessive force against pro-democracy protestors.