Bahrain starts sentencing top cleric supporters to prison

Bahraini authorities have started handing down prison sentences to those holding sit-ins in protest at the regime's decision to revoke the citizenship of prominent Shia Muslim cleric Sheikh Isa Qassim.

According to Press TV, the Bahrain Center for Human Rights (BCHR) said on Friday two protesters were sentenced to one year of imprisonment each last week for attending protests in the restive Diraz village.

The first verdict was pronounced on August 19, when Shia cleric Sheikh Ali Humeidan was sentenced to jail. The second verdict was issued three days later when Shia eulogist Abdullah Subah was convicted on charges of “holding unlawful gatherings” in Diraz.

The center said Shia clerics Sheikh Ali Naji also known as al-Himli, Sheikh Mounir al-Maatouk, and Sheikh Imad al-Shaala, together with eulogist Mullah Habib al-Dirazi are facing trial on similar charges.

The center strongly condemned the persecution of peaceful protesters in Diraz, and the Ale Khalifah regime’s violation of public right to peaceful gathering.

The BCHR further expressed concerns over the safety of demonstrators protesting the regime’s decision to strip Sheikh Qassim of citizenship.

The BCHR called upon the ruling Ale Khalifah regime to immediately release all those detained for holding peaceful gatherings and drop charges brought against them.

It also urged Bahraini rulers to end restrictions on holding peaceful demonstrations, and allow protesters to rally without any fear of interrogation, arrest or any form of reprisal.

Bahraini authorities revoked Sheikh Qassim’s citizenship in late June. They later dissolved the main opposition bloc al-Wefaq National Islamic Society, as well as the Islamic Enlightenment Institution, founded by the 79-year-old cleric, besides another opposition movement, the al-Risala Islamic Association.

ME