Saudi police shot and wounded three Shiite protesters in the oil-rich Eastern Province of the kingdom today while trying to disperse a protest calling for the release of prisoners, a witness told AFP.

The shooting happened when around 600-800 protesters, all Shiite and including women, took to the streets of the city of Al-Qateef to demand the release of nine Shiite prisoners, said the witness, requesting anonymity.

"As the procession in the heart of the city was about to finish, soldiers started shooting at the protesters, and three of them were wounded," the witness said.

The three wounded, all men, were hospitalised but their injuries were "moderate," he said, adding that the shooting continued for about 10 minutes and around 200 policemen were present.

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