Saudi Shiites demand release of suspected spies for Iran

Saudi Arabia’s 2 million Shiites have sent a petition to Riyadh signed by 130 leaders, including 36 clerics, calling for the release of 16 Saudis, Iranians and a Lebanese, detained earlier this month on suspicion of spying for Iran. The petitioners claim the charges were trumped up and the suspects were being persecuted for their Shiite faith.