MANAMA (Sputnik) – Police in the Shiite-majority kingdom of Bahrain have detained an unspecified number of people protesting the execution of a prominent cleric in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain’s Interior Ministry press center said Sunday.

“Several protesters and vandals, and a few people using social networking sites illegally, have been detained in accordance with a statement made by the ministry on January 2,” the press office told RIA Novosti.

Manama has warned of criminal prosecution against those voicing opposition to the execution of 47 people announced on Saturday, including prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr al-Nimr.

Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates stood in support of Saudi Arabia immediately after the announcement, while other countries and international organizations condemned Riyadh for carrying out the capital punishment.

Al-Nimr was among those executed on 2014 charges of inciting hatred and disobedience to the Saudi king. The cleric was arrested in 2012 during anti-government protests in eastern Saudi Arabia.

Widespread protests were reported across the suburbs of Manama in Bahrain, ruled by a Sunni minority, in the wake of the executions.

Among those detained were minors whose parents were called in to police stations. Local laws stipulate a one-year jail term and a fine levied on underage offenders’ guardians.