Bahrainis Continue Protests, Demanding Opposition Leader’s Freedom

Thousands of people in Bahrain once again took to streets in various cities to voice their anger over the prolonged detention of Sheikh Ali Salman, the leader of the Shiite opposition group, al-Wefaq, and call for his immediate release.

The massive demonstrations were held in different towns and villages, including Sanabis, maqsha, Ma’ameer and Bilad al-Qadim, Sheikh Salman’s hometown, on Monday night.

This is while, similar nationwide protests had previously been staged in Bahrain on a daily basis during the fasting month of Ramadan, according to Al-Wefaq National Islamic Society website.

Earlier on June 16, a Bahraini court acquitted Sheikh Salman of the charge of trying to overthrow the government, but gave him a four-year jail sentence for other charges.

Insulting Bahrain’s interior ministry and calling for defiance of the Arab country’s laws, are among the charges for which the court sentenced him to 4 years in prison.

Sheikh Salman was arrested in late December 2014 over alleged anti-regime incitements. Manama had accused him of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers.

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

Bahrain has been the scene of almost daily protests against the Al Khalifa regime since early 2011, when an uprising began in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

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