Bahraini Opposition Party: Sheikh Salman’s Sentence Lacks Legal Value

In a statement on Tuesday, al-Wefaq reacted to the Bahraini court’s verdict and described the sentence as “void and without any legal value”.

The sentence is in line with the Manama regime’s crackdown on all of those who are demanding their rights in the Arab country, the statement said.

Al-Wefaq added that the verdict is not only for Sheikh Salman, but it has been issued against most of the Bahraini people, who are supporters of the cleric.

A Bahraini court on Tuesday acquitted Sheikh Salman of the charge of trying to overthrow the government, but gave him a four-year jail sentence for other charges.

Insulting Bahrain’s interior ministry and calling for defiance of the Arab country’s laws, are among the charges, for which the court sentenced Sheikh Salman to 4 years in prison.

Sheikh Salman was arrested in late December 2014 over alleged anti-regime incitements. Manama accuses him of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers.

His arrest has triggered condemnation inside and outside Bahrain, with leaders, governments and international organizations across the world calling for his immediate release.

The Western-allied kingdom, which is home to the US Navy's 5th Fleet, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.