Sun Mar 20, 2011 8:39AM
Dozens of Saudi protesters have come together in front of the Interior Ministry to demand the release of those arrested during anti-government rallies.
Despite heavy police presence near the building in the Saudi capital Riyadh, the demonstrators on Sunday demanded that authorities secure the release of the prisoners.
"We have seen at least three or four police vehicles taking people away," an activist told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
The activist noted that Saudi security forces arrested a number of the protesters during the Sunday gathering, since any rally or protest march is banned in the oil-rich Persian Gulf state.
“Security have arrested around 15 people. They tried to go into the ministry to go and ask for the freedom of their loved ones,” the activist said.
A witness said that 50 police cars surrounded the ministry to prevent protesters from entering the compound.
Anti-government protests have recently flared up in Saudi Arabia, particularly in the eastern parts of the country, despite a state ban on demonstrations in the kingdom.
Riyadh has stepped up its crackdown on anti-government protests in response.
Saudi Arabia's minority Shias have complained of discrimination, saying that they often struggle to obtain government jobs and benefits that are available to other citizens -- a charge that the Saudi government has denied.
Several hundred people protested in eastern Saudi Arabia Friday, but hundreds of police forces blocked demonstrations in the capital, calling for democratic reforms.
DB/MB
Courtesy of Press TV Iran
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Sunday, March 20th 2011 at 2:03PM
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