Head of Iran's Ministry of Health compares death penalty of al-Nimr with violence over hostages

''The execution of the well-known Shiite preacher Nimr al-Nimr by Saudi Arabia is like terrorists massacring hostages." This opinion was expressed by Iran's Minister of Health Hassan Hashemi during his visit to Lebanon.

"By beheading one of those who fought for the freedom of the country, the Government of Saudi Arabia acted like the terrorists who kill people in the Middle East region,’’ Tass cites him as saying.

"Muslims living in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia have a right to live and express their opinions in their own country. It is not allowed to execute them for criticism,’’ Hashemi underlined.