The authorities accused Hmaidan of assembling without a license and sentenced him to one year in prison. After his release, Hmaidan was received by number of clerics, fathers of martyrs and citizens.
Thousands of citizens held an open sit-in on June 20, 2016 outside the house of spiritual leader of Shia Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, protesting against the decision that revoked his citizenship. However, the authorities forcibly dispersed the protest on June 23, 2017, leaving 5 killed and dozens injured.
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