RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s Interior Ministry says demonstrations will not be tolerated following a protest by about 100 members of the Shiite minority in the eastern region of the kingdom.
The Saudi Interior Ministry, in a statement Saturday, said the kingdom bans all demonstrations because they contradict Islamic laws and society’s values.
The ministry said some people have tried to go around the law to “achieve illegitimate aims,” and it warned that security forces were authorized to act against violators.
The demonstration came after Friday prayers in the town of al-Hufouf when the Shiites demanded the release of detainees, including a Shiite cleric who was arrested last week for calling for a constitutional monarchy.