France on Wednesday called on Saudi Arabia not to execute a Shia Muslim sentenced to death over his role in anti-government protests, saying he was a minor when he was arrested.
Ali al-Nimr, who is 18 according to activists, was given the death penalty in May after taking part in protests three years ago for democracy and equal rights in Saudi Arabia’s oil-producing Eastern Province.
“France is concerned by the situation of Ali Mohammed al-Nimr, who was sentenced to death even though he was a minor at the time of the events,” Foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal said. “Opposed to the death penalty in all cases and circumstances, we call for the execution to be called off.
France does not usually comment on death penalty cases in Saudi Arabia due to their frequency. It has nurtured strong ties with Riyadh due to its tough stance on their Shia rival Iran and shared positions on the region’s conflicts.