Saudi Forces Kidnap, Murder Shia Youth in al-Awamiya
Makki al-Aridh was abducted by the security forces at a check point in al-Awamiya, a town situated in the Al-Qatif region in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday.
While there is evidence of torture on al-Aridh’s body, Saudi officials claim he died of extreme fright due to a psychosocial illness.
Al-Aridh’s family denies that he was suffering from a psychological illness and says he was in perfect health prior to his arrest.
Al-Awamiya has witnessed peaceful demonstrations since February 2011.
Denouncing Riyadh’s oppressive policies against the country’s Shia minority, protesters are calling for political reform and an end to widespread discrimination.
Several people have been killed and many others injured or arrested during the unrest.
Saudi Arabia has come under fire from international human rights organizations for failing to address the rights situation in the kingdom.
Awamiyah was the scene of massive protests in January after Saudi Arabia executed 47 people, among them prominent Shia cleric, Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, causing international outrage and a serious escalation of tensions in the region.
