In a statement on Monday, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi described the Saudi authorities’ decision to execute Sheikh Nimr as “unwise and dangerous” and warned against the consequences of such a move.
“We recommend the inexperienced officials of Saudi Arabia not to cause the already chaotic situation of their country to deteriorate and not to aggravate instability by such malicious and provocative acts,” the top cleric noted in the statement.
He further emphasized that all freedom-seekers around the world, Muslim scholars in particular, are expected to break silence on the issue and prevent the execution of the jailed Saudi cleric.
Ayatollah Nouri Hamedani also condemned the death sentence handed to sheikh Nimr, who has been in detention on political grounds for more than three years.
Mohamed al-Nimr, the cleric’s brother, told Tasnim on Sunday that the death sentence has been referred to King Salman’s office for a final decision.
Saudi criminal court had earlier referred Sheikh Nimr’s case to an appeals court, where the verdict was upheld in early March.
Sheikh Nimr was detained in July 2012 following demonstrations that erupted in Qatif region, Saudi Arabia. He is accused of delivering anti-regime speeches and defending political prisoners.
His arrest has sparked widespread protests in the Arab country, leaving several people dead.
Last October, Sheikh Nimr’s family reported that a Saudi judge has found him guilty of “sedition” and sentenced him to death.