http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2016/01/02/Saudi-interior-ministry.html some people are claiming that it is "confirmed" news that these people were actually sunni scholars who were executed because they opposed the king when he asked for the keys of the ka'ba to be handed over to him. I know it sounds ridiculous, but then, with wahabies, you never know. any confirmations?