The son of executed Saudi Shia clereic Nimr al-Nimr has stated that the Saudi regime and ISIS are both branches of the “same tree.”
He continues that they “do the same thing” and follow the “same ideology,” in an interview with CNN.
“Daesh (ISIS) is the same exact picture. It’s the same tree,” he said.
“In Saudi Arabia, the tree is trimmed because they have money. So they have a better image. But if you compare them, they do the same thing. They have the same ideology.”
Mohammed Nimr claimed that Riyadh used religion “to gain influence in the region. It’s not about Shia or Sunni. It’s about tyranny.”
When asked about his father he said: “We are so proud of him, and we are not going to be intimidated or stop asking for freedom. My father stood peacefully for the lives of all people.”
“He knew they would kill him,” his son said. “He was steadfast that he would not change his statements; he would not acquiesce to them even at the threat of death. He was not afraid.”