Amnesty International has said the last nine months has witnessed a new wave of repression in Saudi Arabia. 

The world's largest human rights group said in a 73-page report published on Amnesty’s website on Thursday that thousands of people had been arrested in the kingdom, many of whom without charge or trial.

Amnesty noted that prominent reformist activists have been handed down long prison sentences following 'grossly unfair' trials. 

The body accused the Saudi authorities of arresting people for demanding implementation of political and social reforms in the country. It stated that many have been detained for calling for the release of their relatives detained in the kingdom. 

The report pointed out that since February the Saudi government had carried out a brutal crackdown on anti-regime protesters in the eastern parts of the country. The authorities have arrested mainly Shia Muslims in the oil-rich Eastern Province, it added. 

Since March, over 300 people, who allegedly participated in peaceful demonstrations against the ruling monarchy in Qatif, Ahsa, and Awwamiya, have been arrested, the report said. 

Amnesty noted that last week 16 protesters, including nine eminent reformists, were given prison sentences ranging from five to 30 years. It added that during the trial they were blindfolded, handcuffed, and during the first three sessions were denied their right to legal representation. 

In addition, the report says the Saudi government has drafted an anti-terrorism law that defines dissent against the ruling Saudi family a 'terrorist crime.' If implemented, the law would strip away more rights from the accused, it added. 

"Peaceful protesters and supporters of political reform in the country have been targeted for arrest in an attempt to stamp out the kinds of call for reform that have echoed across the region," said Philip Luther, Amnesty's interim Middle East and North Africa Director. 

"While the arguments used to justify this wide-ranging crackdown may be different, the abusive practices being employed by the Saudi Arabian government are worryingly similar to those which they have long used against people accused of terrorist offences," he emphasized.