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Iran officials condemn death sentence of Saudi cleric

The death sentence of prominent Saudi Shiite cleric and anti- government protest leader Nimr al-Nimr has been widely condemned by Iranian officials and the country's media organizations.
A protester holds up a picture of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr during a rally at the coastal town of Qatif, against Sheikh Nimr's arrest July 8, 2012. Sheikh Nimr, a prominent Shi'ite Muslim cleric who was wanted by the police, was detained in Saudi Arabia's Eastern Province on Sunday over calls for more rights for the minority Muslim sect in the Sunni monarchy, his brother and an activist said. REUTERS/Stringer (SAUDI ARABIA - Tags: CIVIL UNREST RELIGION POLITICS) - RTR34QU8
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Despite signs that Iran and Saudi Arabia would begin to take steps to address a myriad of regional differences and tone down sectarian tensions, this week officials have openly criticized one another over the Syrian civil war and the death sentence of a prominent Shiite cleric in Saudi Arabia.

Nimr al-Nimr, an outspoken cleric from the predominantly Shiite Eastern province who has led protests for more rights and an end to discrimination by the Sunni authorities, was convicted of sedition and sentenced to death, according to his brother.

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