Saudi Suspect Killed in Clash in Shiite Village

A Saudi wanted on "terror-related" charges has been killed in a gun battle with security forces in a Shiite village, the Sunni-dominated kingdom's interior ministry said on Sunday.

Basem Ali Mohammed al-Gidaihi "died yesterday (Saturday) afternoon," ministry spokesman General Mansur al-Turki told AFP.

Gidaihi was taken to hospital after the exchange of fire in the village of Awamiya, the scene of past clashes with Shiite protesters, but suffered a "setback" following initial treatment, the official Saudi Press Agency said, citing doctors.

An associate of the suspect was in stable condition after being wounded in the gunfight, the doctors added.

Gidaihi was wanted on charges including previously shooting at police and taking part in "riots", SPA reported citing the interior ministry.

Awamiya is just west of Dammam city in oil-rich Eastern Province.

In early September authorities said gunmen fired at a police patrol in Awamiya, wounding one security officer and causing a pipeline to catch fire.

Saudi Arabia's estimated two million Shiites, who have complained of marginalization, live mostly in the east where the vast majority of the OPEC kingpin's huge oil reserves lie.

Demonstrations in Eastern Province erupted in 2011 alongside a Shiite-led protest movement in neighboring Bahrain.

They turned violent in 2012 and clashes between police and protesters killed at least 24 people, including at least four policemen.

In June, a court sentenced two people to death for "taking part in forming a terrorist group" and other crimes linked to the Shiite protests.