Hundreds protest outside Saudi Arabian embassy in Canberra, Australia / Photos

AhlulBayt News Agency - Several hundred people have protested outside the Saudi Arabian embassy in Canberra capital of Australia against the execution of prominent Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

The prominent cleric was beheaded on the weekend after Saudi authorities allegedly accused him of inciting his followers to violence, but human rights groups said he was executed for his political opposition to the Saudi regime.

Protestors described the Sheikh as a non-violent voice against injustice. They have called for an independent inquiry from the United Nations Human Rights Commission.

Participant Mohammad Syed drove from Melbourne to protest.

"They're spreading fear, they're spreading terror, they're oppressing their own citizens," he said. "We want the UN to tell [them] that that we're living in the 21st century. People have rights to freedom, rights to democracy. "We're here to tell the Western powers to put pressure on Saudi Arabia to respect the rights of their citizens, of human beings, irrespective of faith."

Mr Syed said there were people from all backgrounds at the protest. "Indian background, Pakistani background, Arab background, Australian citizens themselves," he said. "Because Australia stands for freedom, Australia stands for democracy and rights.

"We're so lucky that we can come here today and protest against a regime, you can't do that in Saudi Arabia. "And I believe that protests will continue until Saudi Arabia changes it's behaviour."