Saudi authorities detain wanted Shiite activist accused of instigating violent protests

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – A Saudi official says police have detained two men, including a Shiite Muslim accused of instigating violence, after a firefight in a restive eastern region.

Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Mansour al-Turki claimed in a statement Tuesday that police wounded the two in the legs during an exchange of fire in the district of al-Awamiyah in the eastern town of Qatif.

He said one of them is Abdullah bin Salman al-Sraih, one of 23 Shiites wanted for allegedly instigating violent protests demanding the release of imprisoned relatives.

Saudi Arabia has not seen unrest anywhere near the scale of the uprisings that have hit other Arab nations, but some protests have taken place in the oil-rich eastern areas home to the country's Shiite minority.