Saudi Activists Urge Visits to Jailed Cleric A Saudi Arabian activist group is urging international rights organizations to seek fact-finding visits with a jailed Shiite cleric. His arrest on anti-state charges has sharply escalated tensions in Saudi Arabia's restive eastern region. Sunday's statement by the Al-Sharaq Human Rights Center expresses concern for Sheik Nimr al-Nimr, claiming he has not been allowed to see lawyers or relatives since his arrest earlier this month. Saudi officials had no immediate comment. Authorities say al-Nimr was arrested after a gunbattle in Saudi Arabia's oil-rich eastern province, where security forces have clashed with minority Shiite protesters demanding greater rights from the country's Sunni monarchy. On Friday, the Interior Ministry said a militant gunman was killed during an attack on a police station in the region.