Bahrain court refuses to grant Sheikh Salman freedom

A court in Bahrain has turned down a request to grant freedom to distinguished Shia cleric Sheikh Ali Salman.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of Appeal rejected the request to release the 50-year-old clergyman, who is serving a nine-year prison sentence on charges of inciting violence and calling for anti-regime demonstrations.

The court set October 17 as a new date to examine Sheikh Salman’s case.

Bahrain’s Supreme Court of Appeal had previously increased Salman’s jail term to nine years from an original four-year sentence.

Sheikh Salman was arrested in December 2014. He denies the charges brought against him, saying he has been seeking reforms in the country through peaceful means.

Meanwhile, Bahraini regime forces have attacked a group of Shia Muslims hanging banners and black cloths as part of religious processions marking the martyrdom anniversary of Imam Hussein (PBUH).

Bahraini soldiers stormed the northern village of Abu Saiba on Sunday, taking down banners and flags as part of the rituals of Ashura, the 10th day of the lunar month of Muharram, Bahrain Mirror news website reported.

Clashes broke out between local residents and regime forces shortly afterwards as people took to the streets in condemnation of the move.

Bahraini soldiers fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd, leaving several people with breathing complications.

Additionally, regime forces destroyed and removed banners, flags and black cloths hoisted to mark Ashura in the northern villages of Bani Jamra, Qurayya and Tubli.

Authorities also summoned a number of Shia Muslim families who had installed banners and set up flags over their homes in commemoration of Ashura.

SS