Opposition Groups in Bahrain Quit Talks with Gov't
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Bahrain's main Shiite opposition groups suspended participation in reconciliation talks with government after the detention of an important opposition figure.
The move came after Khalil al-Marzooq, a former deputy parliament speaker, was detained on Tuesday accused of instigating violence.
Marzooq, a senior member of Al Wefaq political party was ordered to be held for 30 days during the investigation.
His supporters said he was targeted in attempts to punish the opposition after recent criticism from European officials about government crackdowns on dissent, Al Jazeera reported.
Al Wefaq said it considered the move an escalation in the government's campaign to suppress dissent in the country.
Marzooq is a former deputy speaker of parliament, who resigned along with other Wefaq MPs when the government launched a deadly crackdown on demonstrations in February 2011.
