An Iranian TV channel on Monday reported that peaceful demonstrations were held in the Saudi cities of Awamiya and Qatif demanding the release of political prisoners. According to the report, the authorities deployed hundreds of security forces to suppress the demonstrators. The cities were surrounded by armored vehicles, according to the channel.
The report said the protests took place on August 25 in response to an initiative by the «Liberal Youth Movement» in Awamiya on the occasion of the Jerusalem Day.
The Movement supporters who have marched demanded "legitimate rights," including the release of political prisoners and the expansion of freedoms. Dozens of men and women rallied on August 26 in the Qatif area.
The Iranian channel said that demonstrators raised the Bahraini flags in solidarity with the people of Bahrain and carried photographs of prisoners detained by Saudi authorities since 1996 following the bombing attack on military barracks in Khobar.
