Bahraini protesters demand release of imprisoned activists

Thousands of protesters across Bahrain have once again staged anti-regime rallies to demand the release of imprisoned political activists, including prominent opposition figure Sheikh Ali Salman.

Bahrainis took to the streets of different districts and villages in and around the capital Manama, including Diraz, Karzakan, Malikiyah and Bilad al-Qadim, after Friday prayers.

They also called on the Bahraini regime to immediately free prominent opposition leader Sheikh Ali Slaman — the secretary general of the main opposition bloc, the al-Wefaq National Islamic Society.

Salman was detained on December 28, 2014 on charges of attempting to overthrow the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty and collaboration with foreign powers. He has strongly denied the charges, emphasizing that he has been seeking reforms in Bahrain through peaceful means.

On June 16, a Bahraini court sentenced Salman to four years in prison on charges such as insulting the country’s Interior Ministry and inciting others to break the law. He was acquitted of seeking regime change.