In a heated Sectarian wave against Shia citizens in Al-Hasa, East  of Saudi Arabia, five young Saudi Shia citizens  were detained on Friday for taking part in religious activities during Ashura on last January.

Sources confirmed to Rasid that Alsayed Abdullah Al-Ali (29 years), Alsayed Hussain Al-Ali (25 years) and Alsayed Jaafer Al-Ali (27 years) were detained. The later was arrested at the hospital hall where he was expecting his first baby.

Sadeq Hussain Al-Hammad (36 years) and Yousif Mohammad Al-Shlaa (28 years) were among the detainees in this heated arrest wave.

Unlike the other arrests, all five detainees were arrested from their houses or any other public place. Normally the Saudi Intelligence Department calls the wanted persons and upon their arrival they are immediately sent to jail.

Locals told Rasid that all recent arrests is a sign of escalation as 16 arrests were made in the last weeks.

These arrests precede several Shia festivals which Shia celebrate during the months of Shaaban and Ramadan.

Several local people believe that these arrests are meant for terrorizing those responsible for arranging Shia festivals.

On recent years, hundreds of Shia citizens were arrested in Al-Hassa and several mosques, Hussainya and religious forums were closed as per instruction from the Governor.