Thousands of people have joined the funeral ceremony of a young man killed in Saudi Arabia’s eastern city of Awamiya during the regime forces’ crackdown on dissidents.
Protesters chanted slogans against Saudi rulers during the funeral ceremony on Monday, demanding that the perpetrators of the crime be brought to justice.

Ahmed al-Meslab, 19, was killed in Awamiya on September 5, located in the eastern Qatif region, after security forces raided the houses of anti-regime activists in the area.

Saudi forces used excessive force in the raid, breaking doors and terrorizing women and children inside the house.

Reports said that at least 15 people have been wounded and several others arrested during the operation.

Since February 2011, protesters have held demonstrations on an almost regular basis in Saudi Arabia, mainly in Qatif and Awamiyah, primarily calling for the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to widespread discrimination.

Al Saud rulers have also been the target of the protests, especially after security forces killed five protesters and injured many others in the province in November 2011.

Amnesty International has called on the Saudi authorities to “end their repeated moves to stifle people’s attempts to protest against the widespread use of arbitrary detention in the country,” and to respect the right of people to peaceful protest.