BAHRAIN-TRIAL/LAWYERS-PROTEST Lawyers to appeal sentence of Bahraini opposition leader

Record ID: 151455

  • Title: BAHRAIN-TRIAL/LAWYERS-PROTEST Lawyers to appeal sentence of Bahraini opposition leader
  • Date: 16th June 2015
  • Summary: MANAMA, BAHRAIN (JUNE 16, 2015 (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF OPPOSITION HEADQUARTERS SIGN ON HEADQUARTERS READING (English and Arabic) "Al Wefaq National Islamic Society" 3 VARIOUS OF LAWYERS SPEAKING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) LAWYER, ABDULLAH SHAMLAWI SAYING: "The verdict took place today and the verdict today was the imprisonment of Shaikh Ali Salman for four years
  • Embargoed: 1st July 2015 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Bahrain
  • Country: Bahrain
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA650F8SB5ZX3D34MRXOXE3ZRIK
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Lawyers for Bahraini Shaikh Ali Salmon Ali, general secretary of the main opposition party "Al Wefaq Islamic Society" said on Tuesday (June 16) they will appeal his four year sentence for charges of inciting unrest, a verdict that could stoke more protests in the Sunni Muslim-ruled kingdom.
    Salman is the most senior figure in Shi'ite opposition to be jailed since anti-government protests erupted in 2011, at the height of the region's "Arab Spring" uprisings.
    The al Wefaq Islamic Society confirmed he had been sentenced.
    "The verdict took place today and the verdict today was the imprisonment of Shaikh Ali Salman for four years of which two years was for insulting the Ministry of Interior under the 216 law and also inciting disobedience and hatred under the 172 law and the other two years were for disobedience and breaking the laws," said Lawyer Abdullah Shamlawi.
    Shamlawi condemned the ruling, vowing to overturn it.
    "We are going to appeal this verdict hopefully tomorrow or so and god willing hoping for a better result in favour of Shaikh (referring to Ali Salman)," he said.
    Salman was acquitted of the most serious charge, promoting the overthrow of the political system by force, the advocate general said in its statement. He has denied the charges and has dismissed the trial as bid to muzzle dissent.
    Amnesty International called on Bahrain on Monday (June 15) to free Salman, calling him a "prisoner of conscience" and saying his trial was unfair.
    The island kingdom says it has made significant political reforms and increased oversight of security forces. Opponents say abuses continue.
    With a political accord between the government and opposition remaining elusive, deadly bomb attacks on Bahraini security forces have increased.
    In a statement on Monday, the government said the "serious charges" against Salman were rightly regarded as a criminal offence, and that he had received a fair trial.
    But several anti-government protesters took to the streets of Bahrain's capital on Tuesday, to protest against the verdict.
    They chanted slogans and waved flag during the short rally.
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