Bahrainis Voice Solidarity with Jailed Opposition Leaders

The news website of Bahrain’s February 14 Youth Coalition reported that the demonstrations were held in the streets of Bilad al-Qadeem, Sar, al-Markh, and al-Moqasha.

Demonstrators carried placards and pictures of opposition leaders Sheikh Mohammed Al-Jid Hafsi as well as Sheikh Ali Salman, the secretary general of Bahrain’s al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.

They shouted slogans and condemned an attack by Al Khalifa regime on Sheikh Hafsi. Bahrainis also voiced their opposition to the trial of Sheikh Salman, warning the regime of the consequences.

Earlier on Tuesday, Maina Kiai, the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, voiced serious concern over charges leveled by the Bahraini regime against Sheikh Salman.

The developments come as a court in Bahrain adjourned the trial of Sheikh Salman to October 14.

The first hearing of Sheikh Salman had been set for Tuesday.

Sheikh Salman’s trial has triggered condemnation inside and outside Bahrain, with leaders, governments and international organizations across the world calling for his immediate release.

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

On June 16, a Bahraini court 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, were among the charges for which the court sentenced him to 4 years in prison.

Bahrain has been the scene of almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa regime since early 2011, when an uprising began in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

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