Four detained in Saudi Arabia for supporting Hezbollah
Detentions are the first since August, when seven Saudi Shi'ites were arrested in the same area.
By Haaretz Service and ReutersRIYADH- Saudi police have detained four people in a city in the country's eastern region, which is home to the kingdom's Shi'ite Muslim minority, for supporting Hezbollah, residents said on Tuesday.
The detentions on Saturday and Sunday were the first since August, when seven Saudi Shi'ites were arrested in the same area after peaceful demonstrations backing Hezbollah during its war with Israel.
The four were arrested in the city of Qatif and the neighbouring village of al-Jaroudia, the residents said.
"Two were arrested after they took part in a traditional Ramadan celebration during which they brandished a Hezbollah banner and chanted slogans glorifying (Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan) Nasrallah," said one resident, who asked not to be named.
Interior ministry officials could not be reached immediately for comment.
Saudi Arabia, a key U.S. ally, fears the rising influence of Shi'ite power in Iran and in the Arab world. It has criticized Israeli military action in Lebanon but has also blamed the Iranian-backed Hezbollah for provoking the crisis.
A Shi'ite Web site also reported the arrests and carried pictures of two of those detained. It identified one of them as Muslim al-Dar and said he heads a recognized charity group in al-Jaroudia.
Mohammed abu Abdullah, a Sunni, was arrested after police raided his home and found a picture of Nasrallah hung on a wall, the Web site said.
Saudi Arabia regards itself as the bastion of Sunni Islam.
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This is an expected norm from a dictatorial government has a full support of the stupid U.S. and its small tail Israel. You should understand that opression will not last for ever and the day will come when we will take revenge from those Satan agents. Your huge built up military machinary will not stand againts people's determenant. We Shiate all over the world will lead the world to the devine just very soon where people will live the happiest years of their lives. All this stealing the people's natural resources and slaveness will disappear very soon.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
There's an obvious rift between the Sunni and Shia, yet the Israelis here hail this action as "surprisingly pleasant". Interesting for those of you who have no friggin clue, you aren't that acceptable to the Wahhabis either. These arrests are nothing less than a breach of rights and yet you see it fit to tout its virtue just because it suits your current political aspirations. Hypocrites of the worst kind. Oh, and Jasmine, if your'e reading this, you really ought to stop insulting people because their spelling isn't up to par.
The Hashemite kings are the best administrators and run the most moral of the Arab administrations. If you don't like them I know what your politics are. Next time you should go to writing/UK. It might improve your spelling.
Hopefully the next article we read will detail how Saudis mete out justice to criminals.
Dave you are so sophisticated , where did you get your intelect from... saudi Arabai is one thing , and this corrupt small tribe/family that is imposing itself overe the country is another thing. Those saudi sheiks are doppies and lackies , and the same goes for that baby king Abdo of Jordan , the son of the child of the British empire. it is a mazing you are willing to support currupt "tribes" who jail their own people for holding a picture ?????
It is Saudia who informed France of UBL disease Are you against Saudia cooperation with France Better watch out from Saudi Womens , they can kick your frenchy support hezbo-ass one word from these Saudi womens to France gov't and your ass is theirs . better ask for forgiveness during this ramadan from them before it's too late .
Saudia Message to Shia muslim is clear , no hezbollah support and certainly not in Saudia. Saudia Thru its good will gesture of $1.5 billions to rebuild leb should Pressure Leb Gov't to throw out Hezbo and co. from power from leb gov't , especially now that the arab conference to help leb is about to start . leb gov't should raid all of hezbo financial establishements in leb Siniora's allegiance is to the arab league or to iran-hezbo , Iran is no arab state Siniora retrieve your sleeves up and get to work crying baby .
Exactly, people in Saudi Arabia wouldn't get arrested if they had pictures of Bin Laden in their homes. But when it's Nasrallah it's unacceptable...
Does anyone else find it funny that Saudi's Wahhabi police are arresting Hezbollah supporters for promoting extremism? Wahhabism permits the killing of Shi'a Muslims, Christians and Jews as they are impure.
But as they are Shi'ite the racist Wahhabis consider them below human - as they do Jews.
Let's hope one day hezbollah will get rid of the Saudis and replace this corrupted regime with a "democratic" one, including Saudi women.
Saudia Arabia does not seem to tolerate Hezbollah. That's surprising but wonderful news. How do you like that, clickfool, Stephen Murray, Chris Linthwaite, Khalid and others of your ilk? LOL Saudi Arabia, along with Egypt and Jordan initially condemned Hizbollah's aggessive warmongering actions and even actually blamed Hizzy for starting the war. But after the war dragged on they thought the better of it and kept their mouths shut. But to see the Saudis take such a position is heartwarming. As for those demonstrators, throw them in some Riyadh prison dungeon and throw away the key.