RIYADH — A Saudi court sentenced a dissident convicted of sedition, rioting, protesting and robbery to death on Tuesday, May 27, in the eastern district of Qatif. The district has been rocked by anti-government protests for decades.

The sentence, reported by state media early on Wednesday, is the second time in a week the death penalty has been imposed on protesters involved in the anti-government movement in Qatif.

The judge’s decision to apply the penalty can still be challenged in an appeal court, the supreme court and then by petitioning the king.

More than 20 people have been killed in Qatif since February 2011 when protests erupted calling for the overthrow of the U.S.-backed monarchy.

Demonstrations have continued sporadically. Some funerals for local people killed by security forces have also attracted thousands of mourners.

The government has said most of those killed died in shootouts between gunmen and the security forces and that police have been regularly shot at and attacked with petrol bombs. However, local activists say some were shot during peaceful protests.

The conviction of Ali al-Nimr, 18, a nephew of Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr, a prominent Shia cleric who is also on trial, follows that of Rida al-Rubh, 26, the son of another cleric who has been critical of the authorities.