Iraq’s Ammar Hakim Concerned over Situation in Bahrain

“We hoped that relevant organizations and bodies (in the Persian Gulf Arab country) would adopt a series of measures to help win the confidence of the Bahraini nation,” Ammar al-Hakim wrote on his Instagram page on Thursday.

But instead, he deplored, they exacerbated the situation there by sentencing Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, the spiritual leader of Bahrain’s Shiite majority, to one year in prison and later storming into his house.

Hakim, who is also head of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq (ISCI), expressed concerns over the “unjustified” moves by the Manama regime and called on Bahrain officials to reconsider their stance on the Shiite people in the kingdom and stop violence against protesters.

He also called on the Bahraini people to show restraint in the face of the regime’s ongoing crackdown.

The remarks came after a Bahraini court on Sunday sentenced Sheikh Qassim to one year in prison. Based on the verdict, the cleric’s properties worth three million Bahraini dinars (near $8 million) have been also confiscated. Moreover, Sheikh Qassim has been sentenced to pay a fine of 1,000 Bahraini dinars (about $2,650).

On Monday, Bahraini regime forces stormed into the residence of Sheikh Qassim in the village of Diraz, arresting everyone inside the house.

Reports suggest that the top Bahrain cleric is now under house arrest.

At least six people are reported to have been killed in the raid, and over 280 others have been arrested.

Bahrain, a close ally of the US in the Persian Gulf, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with security forces resorting to harsh measures against demonstrators.

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