DUBAI: An 18-year-old Saudi Arabian man was shot dead by security forces in the ultra-conservative Gulf Kingdom's Awamiyah city in the Eastern Province, reports said late Friday. The man, identified as Abdallah Jaafar al-Ojami, was killed near a police station during Friday protests calling for the release of Shiite cleric Sheikh Nemr al-Nemr, who was jailed last week. Tension in Saudi's Eastern Province have been at an all-time high since Nemr's detention last week with almost daily protests against the government. At least three people have now been killed and many others injured in the crackdown on demonstrations against the detention of the cleric. The Eastern Province has been epicenter of anti-regime protests since last year. Saudi protesters are demanding the release of all political prisoners, freedom of expression and assembly, and an end to economic and religious discrimination against the eastern region. Anti-regime protests continue in the ultra-conservative monarchy, where any demonstrations or political gatherings are strongly prohibited and met with repressive force.