Iran Slams Extension of Top Bahraini Cleric’s Jail Term
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hossein Jaberi Ansari expressed deep sorrow over the extension of the jail term of Bahraini opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, saying that Al Khalifa cannot resolve the Persian Gulf country’s protracted problems by such moves.
“Such measures against the moderate political leaders, cannot resolve Bahrain’s problems,” Jaberi Ansari said in a statement released late on Tuesday.
He added that the move will further “complicate” the problems and would finally serve the interests of extremists in the Arab country.
Earlier on Monday, Bahrain’s Supreme Court of Appeal increased a four-year prison sentence already issued against Sheikh Salman by five more years.
Bahrainis on Tuesday held hundreds-strong protests throughout Manama, venting rage at the ruling of the Supreme Court.
Sheikh Salman was arrested in late December 2014 over alleged anti-regime incitements. Manama accused him of seeking regime change and collaborating with foreign powers.
Bahrain, a staunch ally of the United States in the Persian Gulf region, has been witnessing almost daily protests against the ruling Al Khalifa dynasty since early 2011, with Manama using heavy-handed measures in an attempt to crush the demonstrations.
Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on the peaceful demonstrations.
