Head of the Council for Tehran Province’s Seminary Schools Ayatollah Akbar Rashad voiced regret over the detention of Secretary General of Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq Society Sheikh Ali Salman.
“Sheikh Salman fought for 20 years against the oppressive rule which showed that he is a peaceful cleric and he never intends to create turmoil and violence in Bahrain,” Ayatollah Rashad said.
The 49-year-old Shiite figure led a protest rally against elections in November, which was boycotted by the opposition due to the lack of progress in democratic reforms in the kingdom.
Salmans detention sparked protests in Central Manama after prayers at the capitals Mumen mosque. Police used tear gas and batons against the demonstrators and arrested dozens of them.
Protests continued on Friday, with angry crowds demanding the release of Salman and holding the king, Hamad al-Khalifa, responsible for his arrest.
Sheikh Salman, who was arrested on Sunday, was remanded in custody on Tuesday for a week pending further questioning.
On Tuesday, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) called on Bahrain to release Sheikh Salman.
OHCHR Spokesperson Liz Throssell called for the immediate release of Sheikh Salman as well as all other persons convicted or detained for merely exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly.
Sheikh Salman is charged with promoting regime change by force, threats, and illegal means and of insulting the Interior Ministry publicly, said Bahraini Prosecutor Nayef Mahmud.
The European Union also warned on Monday that the arrest of the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society’s leader by the Bahraini regime carries the risk of jeopardizing an already difficult political and security situation.
Both the UN and the EU have urged that the only way out of Bahrains current crisis is dialogue and national reconciliation.
Bahrain has been witnessing almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, when an uprising began in the kingdom. Since then, thousands of protesters have held numerous rallies in the streets of Bahrain, calling on the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.
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source : IRNA
Sunday
4 January 2015
7:24:49 AM
662509
Head of the Council for Tehran Province’s Seminary Schools Ayatollah Akbar Rashad voiced regret over the detention of Secretary General of Bahrain’s Al-Wefaq Society Sheikh Ali Salman.