Al-Wefaq calls for staging demo in Bahrain

The opposition group urged people to take to the streets in protest to the illegal arrest and trial of its leader Sheikh Ali Salman.

Al-Wefaq called the trial of Sheikh Salman as politically-motivated and called for protests against the oppressive policies of the Al Khalifa regime.

On Saturday, too, anti-regime demonstrators took to the streets in Bahrain and called for the release of political prisoners, including Sheikh Salman.

The peaceful protests were held on the Island of Sitra, the northern village of Daih, and the al-Musalla village located west of the capital city Manama.

Salman was arrested on December 28, 2014, after Manama accused him of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers.

Bahrain, a close ally of the United States in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.