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Bahrain's Sunni opposition leader to face trial

Ibrahim Sharif, the general secretary of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad) in Bahrain

A prominent Sunni opposition leader in Bahrain accused of “promoting political change” is scheduled to go on trial for a second time.

Without naming the opposition leader, Bahrain's Public Prosecutor Wael Buallay said in a statement carried by state news agency BNA on Wednesday that the trial will open in the Higher Criminal Court on August 24. However, judicial sources in the kingdom confirmed that the statement was referring to Ibrahim Sharif, the general secretary of the National Democratic Action Society (Wa'ad).

Sharif is accused of “promoting political change through forceful means and threats and inciting hatred against the political regime,” the statement read.

He was released from prison on June 19 after spending four years in jail over his involvement in the 2011 popular uprising in the country. Opposition sources said Sharif was rearrested after he criticized the Bahraini regime during a memorial ceremony for a victim of the unrest in the kingdom.

“By inciting hatred and calling for violence to advance political changes, the defendant has revealed that he is still committed to his hateful and criminal activities for which he was previously convicted,” the statement said, adding that Sharif will remain in custody.

He is also accused of of promoting “violent disorder” in a “direct attempt to undermine stability in the kingdom and overthrow the regime,” according to the statement. 

Bahraini protesters run for cover after the riot police fired tear gas during clashes on May 23, 2015 in the village of Jidhafs, west of Manama. (AFP Photo)

 

The Manama regime has countered peaceful demonstrations in the country over the past four years with a heavy-handed measure, which has left scores of Bahrainis dead and hundreds of others injured. The regime has also imprisoned many of its opposition figures.


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