Saudi accuses 9 of starting riots
2012-01-24 20:29
Riyadh - A Saudi official says police have detained nine men accused of instigating riots in the eastern city of Qatif, home to the country's Shi'ite minority.
Interior ministry spokesperson Major General Mansour al-Turki said on Tuesday all nine were arrested at a house used as one of their hideouts.
The ministry said earlier this month that three security men were injured when Shi'ite protesters threw firebombs at a security vehicle, setting it on fire. Police killed one demonstrator and wounded another.
Hundreds of Shi'ites took to the streets the next day, protesting the killing.
Saudi Arabia has not experienced unrest on the scale of the uprisings that have hit other Arab nations over the past year, but Shi'ites have staged some protests demanding more rights.
- AP
