Bahrain court adjourns Salman trial, extends his remand

A court in Bahrain has adjourned the trial of detained Shia opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, until April 22 and extended his remand again.

According to reports on Wednesday, Salman was taken to Bahrain’s High Criminal Court for a third time to hear charges of plotting to overthrow the Al Khalifah regime.

Sheikh Salman is the secretary general of Bahrain’s main opposition bloc, al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.

Al-Wefaq slammed the court’s decision, saying the charges against the prominent cleric are baseless.

The illogical charges brought up against Salman can never lead to his conviction as the cleric has only “called for justice, equality and the building of a sate on the bases of democracy where the people are the source of all powers,” read the society’s statement.

The opposition bloc also called on the Al Khalifa regime to release all prisoners of conscience, stressing that only a political solution, and not the use of force, can end the conflict in the Persian Gulf monarchy.

“Bahrain needs an inclusive and just political solution that guarantees for all Bahrainis to be the source of all powers,” read the statement, adding, “The Bahraini authority is urged to release all political prisoners and end the security solution to pave the way for a political solution to the crisis.”

Back in December 2014, Salman was arrested on charges of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers. He has strongly denied the allegations.

His arrest has triggered condemnation inside and outside Bahrain, with leaders, governments and international organizations across the world calling for his immediate release.

Bahrain has been witnessing almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa regime 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 for the Al Khalifa royal family to relinquish power.

The Manama regime has been severely criticized by human rights groups for its harsh crackdown on anti-government protesters, which has claimed the lives of scores of people so far.