Saudi Police Nabs Gaza Supporters

Source: Presstv.ir, 31-12-2008
Saudi security forces have launched a house-to-house search for the participants of a peaceful demonstration in support of Gaza.
Some 300 people wearing masks reportedly took to the streets of Qatif region's Safwa city in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia on Monday.
The demonstrators chanted slogans condemning the "Israeli" attacks on the Gaza Strip and called on Arab governments to takes a firm stand against the US and "Israel". The peaceful rally, however, turned violent once the riot police intervened to disperse the demonstrators.
Security forces raided the houses of those who were believed to have participated in the peaceful demonstration and arrested several activists including Al-Ahmad Al-Safavi and Munir Al-Assad, the al-Moltaqqa news website reported on Tuesday.
Mohammed Saleh al-Gharib, another resident of the region, was arrested for possessing a picture of Hizbullah Leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah. Similar search operations were also underway in Awamiya, Sanabis and Tarut.
According to eye witnesses, the Saudi Interior Ministry has set up checkpoints on the roads to and from Qatif to prevent and confront further Pro-Gaza demonstrations.
The opposition, however, has announced that it would hold another demonstration on Thursday 'with or without' the permission of the Saudi government.
Demonstrators in Monday's peaceful rally voiced support for the people of Gaza and urged the government to immediately release the political detainees who have been held in Saudi prisons for up to 10 years without a fair trial.
Riot police reportedly used rubber bullets to disperse the demonstrators resulting in clashes erupted between the two sides. Witnesses said at least five people had been injured in the skirmish and several others had been arrested.
Interior Ministry Spokesman Mansour al-Turki, however, has denied the report saying that there had been no demonstration in Qatif or any other region.
Under the kingdom's constitution holding or participating in any demonstration is prohibited and security forces prevent any such rallies from taking place, He was quoted by al-Riyadh as saying.
Some 20 reformist figures have filed a request with the Interior Ministry for a permission to hold rallies in support of the Gaza people.