SHAFAQNA- Prominent Saudi Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr, is in “high spirits” despite reports suggesting that he is at risk of imminent execution, his brother said.
“He’s good, very well, high spirits. His health is very good and he is ready for anything, even for death,” AFP quoting Jaffar al-Nimr as saying.
He made the remarks after visiting his brother at Al-Ha’ir Prison, situated approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Saudi Arabia’s capital city of Riyadh.
Several other family members, including Sheikh Nimr’s mother, were also present at the one-hour jail visit.
On November 26, Amnesty International said that Sheikh Nimr was among six Shia activists facing looming execution.
The London-based human rights group also noted that the individuals were “clearly convicted in unfair trials”.
Sheikh Nimr is not concerned by those executions stories, his brother said and accused the Saudi Interior Ministry of sometimes issuing reports in a bid to gauge public reaction.
Nimr, a cleric highly respected by the Saudi Shias, was attacked and arrested in the Qatif region of Eastern Province back in 2012 on charges of undermining the kingdom’s security, making anti-government speeches, and defending political prisoners. Nimr has denied the accusations.
In October last year, a Saudi court sentenced Sheikh Nimr to death, provoking huge condemnations and criticism in the Middle East and the world.