Bahrainis rally to demand release of top leader
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Protesters hold photos of prominent opposition figure and head of al-Wefaq National Islamic Society Sheikh Ali Salman and banners reading “Oh Prisoners Of Karbala, Freedom To Our Symbols And Prisoners, Shame On Those Who Prison You” during a protest after
Demonstrators in Bahrain have taken to the streets to express solidarity with political prisoners and jailed activists, in particular prominent opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman.
According to Press TV, in Abu Saiba, the protesters demanded the release of the 49-year-old secretary of the main opposition al-Wefaq and other political prisoners.
The protesters carried portraits of Salman and other imprisoned dissidents as well as national flags and chanted slogans against the ruling Al Khalifah regime.
Elsewhere in the village of Karzakan, demonstrators condemned Manama’s heavy-handed crackdown on political dissent.
They vowed to continue street protests until their pro-democracy demands are met and their rights restored.
Sheikh Salman was arrested on December 28, 2014, on charges of attempting to overthrow the Al Khalifah regime and collaborating with foreign powers.
He denies the charges, saying he has been seeking reforms in the kingdom through peaceful means.
In June 2015, a Bahraini court sentenced him to four years in prison on charges such as insulting the Bahraini Interior Ministry and inciting others to break the law. He was acquitted of seeking regime change.
ME
