Saudi Arabia police 'fire at rally'

From Al Jazeera

Police have reportedly opened fire at a rally in Saudi Arabia in an apparent effort to stop planned protests there, AP news agency has reported.

A witness in the eastern city of Qatif told AP that gunfire and stun grenades were fired at several hundred protesters marching in the city streets on Thursday.

The witness, speaking on condition of anonymity because he feared government reprisal, said police in the area opened fire. The witness saw at least one protester injured.

Government officials have warned they will take strong action if activists take to the streets after increasing calls for large protests around the country to press for democratic reforms.

Freedom for prisoners

Despite the ban on protests and the government warning, demonstrators demanding the release of political prisoners took to the streets for a second day in Qatif.

Several hundred protesters, some wearing face masks to avoid being identified, marched after dark asking for "Freedom for prisoners".

Police, who were lined up opposite the protesters, fired percussion bombs, followed by gunfire, causing the crowd to scatter, a witness said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of government retaliation.

Last month, the government announced an unprecedented economic package worth an estimated $36bn that will give people interest-free home loans, unemployment assistance and debt forgiveness.

It also reiterated that demonstrations are forbidden because they contradict Islamic laws and society's values and said security forces were authorised to act against anyone violating the ban.

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